A MAN from Towyn who engaged in sexual communication with, and sent a video of a sex act being performed to, a police decoy which he thought was a 12-year-old girl, has been spared jail.

Nathan Jackson, 26, of Maes Y Llan, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, at Caernarfon Crown Court today (November 10).

He had previously admitted charges of attempting to cause a child to watch sexual activity, and engaging in sexual communication with a child.

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Prosecuting, Anna Price told the court that, on July 20, 2022 an undercover presenting as “Carys”, a 12-year-old girl, received communication from Jackson on the platform “Chat Avenue”.

Jackson, adopting the username “boredguy”, instigated conversation with “Carys”, who told him that she was a 12-year-old girl.

He asked her such questions as what clothes she was wearing, if she liked “older guys”, and if she would like to engage in sexual activity with him.

They later communicated on Snapchat, with Jackson asking “Carys” for a picture of themselves.

“Carys” was then sent a video from Jackson of him performing a sex act, before asking a number of further sexual questions.

Jackson was arrested, and had his mobile phone seized, on August 18, 2022; when interviewed, he denied having been in contact with “Carys”.

In a later interview in June of this year, Jackson gave a prepared statement saying that his phone was “hacked”, that he did not have a “good recollection” of the incident, and that he suffers with, albeit undiagnosed, memory loss.

Defending Jackson, who had no previous convictions, Simon Killeen said his client “can be assisted” in the community, and asked if the court could suspend his “inevitable” custodial sentence.

Jackson was said to have lost his job with the company who had employed him for the previous four-and-a-half years since these matters came to light, Mr Killeen added.

The defendant, who is remorseful for his actions, has struggled with gambling, alcohol, cannabis and mental health issues.

He was supported in court today by his mother.

Sentencing, Recorder Wyn Lloyd-Jones told Jackson: “It gives me no pleasure whatsoever to have to sentence a young man like you for offences of this kind.

“It’s horrendous to think you believed she was that age, and you did that.

“You’re a man who had good character until now, and you’ve thrown that away, for this, forever.”

Jackson will complete 45 days’ rehabilitation activity requirements, and at least 45 sessions of the “Horizon” programme.

He will adhere to sex offenders register notification requirements for 10 years and pay a statutory surcharge, while his mobile phone was ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.