IN a recent court hearing, 28-year-old Dafydd Evans from Llanllwni was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court for charges relating to attempting sexual communication with children. The charges came after Evans, a young farmer who now cares for a family member, engaged in online conversations with individuals he believed were 12-year-old girls. The court found that these were actually decoys used by police in a sting operation.
The incident began on February 26, when Evans initiated a conversation with a supposed 12-year-old, asking her about her sexual awareness and suggesting they meet to engage in sexual activities. Despite initially acknowledging her age as “too young,” he proceeded to inquire if she had sexual thoughts or experiences.
A similar instance occurred on February 28 with another decoy, where Evans expressed a desire to meet for sex, ignoring the apparent age of the child. He even suggested not using protection and offered to teach the ‘girl’ about sex. Both conversations were laden with explicit content, aimed at persuading the decoys to skip school for the meetings.
Upon arrest on February 29, it was revealed that Evans had no prior criminal history. His defence, led by James Hartson, mentioned a claimed memory blackout during the time of the conversations and highlighted Evans’ struggles with acute depression following family bereavements in 2023. It was also noted that Evans has a history of learning and developmental challenges, including dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism, and ADHD.
Despite the circumstances, Judge Mr Recorder A Eardley sentenced Evans to six months in prison for each charge, both suspended for two years. The sentence includes mandated participation in a rehabilitation programme and 100 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, a seven-year sexual harm prevention order was imposed to restrict Evans’ interaction with minors and control his internet use.
Evans is also required to partake in the Horizon programme, aimed at addressing sexual offending behaviours. The case highlights ongoing judicial efforts to combat online exploitation and safeguard children from potential harm.
If you or someone you know is affected by these issues, you can contact the NSPCC helpline for support and advice at 0808 800 5000.
