Russell Brookman, 46, has been sentenced to 32 months in prison for arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence. The defendant sent a series of highly sexualised messages to someone he believed was the mother of a 10-year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover police officer.
Details of the Offence
Abigail Jackson, prosecuting, told Cardiff Crown Court that in July last year Brookman made contact with a profile on LuxureTV, an adult content streaming platform, which purported to be a mother with two young daughters. The profile was operated by an undercover police officer.
The conversation moved to encrypted apps Telegram and Session, where Brookman sent highly sexualised messages about the decoy's supposed 10-year-old daughter. He asked if the child was 'available' for sexual activity. When asked if he had experience with children, Brookman said he had not but that it had always been a fantasy.
The prosecutor said Brookman described sex acts he wanted the child to perform and sent indecent images and videos of children. He also asked the decoy to send sexual videos of her daughter.
Arrest and Sentencing
Police arrested Brookman at his home in Monmouth on October 9. He answered 'no comment' to all questions in interview. Brookman, now of Warwick Close, Chippenham, Wiltshire, had no previous convictions. He pleaded guilty to arranging or facilitating a child sexual offence and two counts of distributing indecent images.
Alice Sykes, for Brookman, said he voluntarily sought help from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation after arrest and undertook 'extensive work' to address his offending. She noted a 'heartfelt letter' from his mother, who attended court in support.
Sentence and Consequences
With a one-third discount for his guilty pleas, Brookman was sentenced to 32 months in prison. He will serve up to half in custody before release on licence. He will be a registered sex offender for life and is subject to a seven-year sexual harm prevention order.
