A MAN from Conwy who engaged in sexual communication with an “extremely vulnerable” girl has been spared jail.

Gareth Salisbury, 29, of Penmaen Road, was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for a year-and-a-half, at Mold Crown Court today (March 5).

He had previously admitted a charge of engaging in sexual communication with a child.

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Prosecuting, Anna Pope told the court that, from November 2022, Salisbury sent various sexually explicit messages to the girl.

Though the initial messages were not sexual in nature, he later began to speak in a “more crude, sexual language” to her, which made her feel “awkward”.

She responded as she “didn’t want to upset him”, but Salisbury would continue to send sexual messages, such as encouraging to perform a sex act and referring to them “having a foursome with her boyfriend and (singer) Billie Eilish”.

The girl began to self-harm and was “panicking in her head” as a result of the messages which Salisbury sent her, the court heard.

It was her who told him that they should not be having these sort of conversations because of her age; he agreed, said it wouldn’t happen again, and asked her to delete their chat history.

She did so, but took screenshots of some of them, while Salisbury apologised, deleted the exchanges from his end, and told her “not to tell anyone”.

The girl later told her mother about what Salisbury had done and blocked him on social media.

He then asked her why she did this and told her that his grandfather was dying, which made her felt “guilty” and that “what had happened was her fault”.

Salisbury was later arrested, before saying in his police interview that the girl had started the sexual communication between them.

Defending Salisbury, who had no previous convictions, Dafydd Roberts asked if his custodial sentence could be suspended.

He had not re-offended since this matter came to light, has been diagnosed with autism, and is the primary carer for his father, who supported him in court.

Sentencing, Judge Niclas Parry told him: “It’s quite clear to me that you don’t understand how serious what you’ve done is,” to which Salisbury replied: “I do, sir”.

Judge Parry added: “Well, let me tell you how serious it is – it’s so serious that only a prison sentence can be imposed.

“She knew it was wrong. Despite her vulnerabilities, it was her who put a stop to this. She is so decent that she’s been worried about you.

“It’s better, if possible, for the protection of young females, if work is done with you… (but) it’s going to be a tough 18 months.”

Salisbury was also ordered to complete 45 days’ rehabilitation activity requirements and a 45-session programme, as well as 80 hours’ unpaid work.

He will adhere to sex offenders register notification requirements, and a sexual harm prevention order, for 10 years, and will also pay a statutory surcharge.

Judge Parry warned him: “If you reoffend in the next 18 months, you’re going down the steps.

“Don’t mess up this opportunity I’m giving you, and take the support you’re going to be given.”