A MAN who engaged in sexual communication in Conwy with who he thought was a 12-year-old girl has been spared jail.

Christopher Foulds, 33, of Cae Gruffydd, Rhyl, was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, at Mold Crown Court today (October 9).

He previously admitted a charge of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

READ MORE:

Rhyl FC volunteer and keen snooker player was ‘a really happy person’

Man involved in ‘incident’ at Rhyl builders’ merchant

Cadets face ‘major medical incident’ training exercise in Bodelwyddan

Prosecuting, Elen Owen told the court that the Regional Undercover Unit set up a profile on the social media application “Kik”, posing as a 12-year old girl called “Chloe”.

Between February 23 and March 24 of last year in Conwy, Foulds communicated with “Chloe” on Kik under the usernames “funhorny” and “welshboy2022”, with his profile picture depicting a penis.

Despite “Chloe” telling Foulds she was 12, Foulds continued to ask her for pictures of herself, including on nine separate occasions on the same day.

He later told “Chloe” that he would “love to see your body”, before sending a naked photo of himself following numerous unanswered messages.

Foulds then messaged “Chloe”, asking her if she liked the picture, on seven occasions, before sending a picture of his penis.

On April 15, 2022, having received intelligence about his online behaviour, officers attended Foulds’ address to arrest him.

When interviewed, he told police he could not remember the communication due to “drugs issues”, and was said to be “shocked” at his arrest.

Foulds claimed not to remember creating a Kik account, or when he had last used the application, but admitted installing it on his mobile phone.

He said he would not communicate with children sober, but “blanks out” after taking drugs, also making reference to cocaine use.

Blaming his behaviour entirely on drug consumption, he denied having a sexual attraction to children.

Defending Foulds, whose previous convictions were for unrelated driving matters, Sarah Yates said he “made damning admissions” to police and has “accepted responsibility”.

He has not re-offended since his arrest, is “remorseful”, has found “stable accommodation”, and “concedes he needs help with his drug abuse”, Ms Yates said.

Though she said he has lost his job, he has since found a new job with a scaffolding firm, which he is due to start next week.

Ms Yates, inviting the court to suspend his custodial sentence, said: “His focus is to try and avoid getting into the same offence and cycles. The reality is that he needs support to do that.”

Sentencing, Judge Timothy Petts agreed to a suspended sentence, but with “quite an intensive package of work” for Foulds to undertake.

“The fact you were under drugs at the time isn’t an excuse; in fact, it makes it worse,” Judge Petts told him.

“You’ve got a chance to demonstrate that this was an aberration, and that you can put this behind you.”

Foulds will complete a 120-day electronically monitored alcohol abstinence period, and 80 hours’ unpaid work.

He will adhere to a 35-day programme requirement, and 30 days’ rehabilitation activity.

Judge Petts ordered him to undertake six months of drug testing, and to pay a £156 surcharge.

Foulds is subject to a sexual harm prevention order, and sex offenders register notification requirements, for the next decade.