A MAN from Rhyl who engaged in sexual communication with a decoy posing as a female child, and who was found with indecent films of children on his mobile phone, has been spared jail.

Paul Musker, 47, of Cefndy Road, was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, at Mold Crown Court today (November 14).

He had previously admitted three counts of making indecent images of a child, and a further charge of engaging in sexual communication with a child.

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Prosecuting, Karl Scholz told the court that, as part of an undercover operation, a decoy joined the social media platform “Kik”, posing as a 14-year-old schoolgirl going by the name of “L”.

Between February 24 and March 11, 2022, Musker sent “L” numerous messages of a sexual nature, first on Kik and later on Snapchat.

On Kik, under the username “BretTheJet”, he called “L” a “naughty girl”, before telling her she was “cute”.

Musker then contacted “L” on Snapchat, where his username was “musker04”, sending “L” a picture of himself before telling her: “Your turn.”

In a later message, he said: “I bet you’re looking hot… I’ve only seen your face… let’s see you posing, no need to be shy.”

“L” then sent Musker an image of a fully-clothed female lying on a bed, before the defendant requested more pictures of her and sent messages referring to the performance of a sex act.

He was arrested on May 12, 2022 at his place of work in Bagillt, and his phone was seized.

When the phone was examined, 11 indecent films of children were found on it; nine were category A, the most serious, while one each were of category B and C.

The films were described as predominantly being of one minute in length, and involving females aged between six and 14 being subjected to sexual abuse.

A further 44 files, and more Kik chats, indicative of a sexual interest in children, were found on his phone.

When interviewed by police, Musker said he had spoken to a 14-year-old, and that he “enjoys a flirt” and was “really lonely” at the time.

He said he had suffered from depression from two years, defined his sexuality as “probably bicurious”, and said he was “in no way” sexually attracted to children.

After being interviewed following the findings of the images, he expressed “shock”, and said it was possible he had seen them but reiterated that they must have automatically saved to his phone.

Defending Musker, who had no previous convictions, Philip Clemo said his client has paid £50 per session himself for counselling in the intervening period.

Musker, Mr Clemo said, does not feel he now has a sexual interest in children, and has taken steps himself to rehabilitate himself.

He is now in a position to sign a lease on a property, and has complied with his interim notification requirements.

A skip driver by trade, Musker was deemed by Mr Clemo to have a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

Mr Clemo asked if the court could suspend Musker’s custodial sentence, with a “stringent package of conditions” attached, to keep him “on a very short leash”.

Sentencing, Recorder Simon Mills agreed to suspend Musker’s jail term.

Musker was ordered to complete 45 days’ rehabilitation activity requirement, and 180 hours’ unpaid work.

In addition, he will adhere to the terms of a sexual harm prevention order, and sex offenders register notification requirements, for 10 years.

Recorder Mills told Musker that he had “thrown away your previous good character”.

He added: “You don’t come across imagery like that by accident.

“Your entire future is going to be governed by what’s happened in this case. This will follow you around forever.”

Musker will also pay a statutory surcharge within three months, while a deprivation order was made in respect of his seized phone.