Neville Braithwaite, 48, of Merthyr Tydfil, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after sending sexualised images and messages to a person he believed was a 14-year-old girl. The decoy was in fact an adult from a paedophile hunter group called Dank Dragon.
Braithwaite’s Conversations with Decoy
The court heard that Braithwaite contacted a Facebook account in the name of a girl and was told early on that she was 14. He responded: "There's no way – you look older than that or I just couldn't see past those eyes of yours." He later said: "It's a shame you wasn't older – I'd take you on a date. You're attractive – I could stare into those eyes all day."
Prosecutor Hannah Head said Braithwaite told the decoy he "could get into trouble" for speaking to her but "it would be nice to take her on a date and treat her." When asked why, he replied: "Because you're underage and they'd try to do me for grooming." He then asked: "Only two years babe – have you got Snapchat?"
Sexual Messages and Videos
The conversation moved to Snapchat, where Braithwaite’s messages became “overtly sexual.” He sent videos of himself masturbating, of a woman performing oral sex on him, and of a woman masturbating. He told the decoy: "Delete those – I wouldn't want anybody else to see them." He added: "Don't forget the sexy pic of you in your school uniform tomorrow. You in your school uniform is sexy."
Arrest and Police Interview
On May 14, Braithwaite was visited and detained by Dank Dragon, and police were called. A search of his home found a small amount of cannabis and amphetamine. In his police interview, Braithwaite said he was “disgusted” with himself but claimed he “decided to play hell” and give the group what they wanted. He said he was a “fan” of Dank Dragon and wanted to see how it worked, knowing the person was a decoy. He also said he “wanted to get himself in trouble” to get help.
Despite these claims, he later told the probation service he was attracted to pubescent girls aged 13 to 14.
Separate Burglary Offence
Braithwaite also admitted burglary after police found him inside the Triumph building in Merthyr Tydfil on December 10 last year. He claimed he used to work there and was “exploring.” A claw hammer was found in his rucksack along with a head torch and night vision binoculars.
Braithwaite, of Enoch Morrell Close, Troedyrhiw, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, burglary, and two counts of possessing Class B drugs. He has 21 previous convictions, mostly for theft.
Sentencing
Defence barrister Matthew Thomas said his client’s main mitigation was his guilty plea and 22 weeks on curfew while on bail. Judge Wayne Beard said: "Even though you knew you could get into trouble you made flirtatious and suggestive comments and your offending became overtly sexual."
Braithwaite was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and sex offender notification requirements for 10 years.
