A teacher from Wales has been sentenced after sending sexualised messages to who he believed were 12-year-old girls, only to discover he was communicating with undercover police officers.
Details of the Case
David Skillern, 60, of Deri, near Bargoed, began chatting with decoys on the Kik messaging app in November last year. The decoys, named "Poppy" and "Hattie," both told the defendant they were 12 years old. Skillern engaged in conversations with both simultaneously.
During a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday, it was revealed that when the decoy "Poppy" disclosed her age, Skillern responded, "S***, is that you in the picture? I am a lot older." He then asked for a "live photo," discussed her school classes, and inquired about what she wore to relax. When the decoy said "pyjamas," Skillern requested photographs.
Prosecutor Alex Orndal stated that the conversation moved to WhatsApp, where Skillern continued to send messages, asking for a picture of the decoy getting undressed. He asked if her "boobs were grown" and expressed anticipation for receiving pictures and videos. Skillern sent a photograph of himself with only a towel around his lower half and asked for a photo of her in her "bra and panties."
He mentioned wanting to "wrap his arms" around the decoy, to cuddle and kiss her, and suggested performing oral sex. He also asked if she masturbated and gave instructions on what to do.
Skillern began speaking to "Hattie" on November 24. When she told him her age, he asked, "Are you okay chatting to a much older man?" He requested photographs and, after moving to WhatsApp, said he would "love to see her in real life." Skillern expressed a desire to be her "close friend" and later referred to himself as "her older lover." He asked if she had hair on her privates, and when she said "no," he called her "amazing." He sent the same towel photo and said he was thinking about kissing her and performing sexual acts.
Arrest and Investigation
Police visited Skillern's home on December 5, and he was arrested. He told officers, "I will lose my job, I will lose everything." His phone was seized, revealing two category A indecent images and 14 category C indecent images, including children as young as 13 performing sexual acts. He had also participated in Kik group chats where he requested images of children and once shared a category C image.
Guilty Plea and Mitigation
Skillern, of Ysgwyddgwyn, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to cause/incite a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and making and distributing indecent images of children. He had no previous convictions.
In mitigation, Gareth Williams said his client would lose his teaching job and would not be able to work with children again. The barrister noted that Skillern was undergoing divorce proceedings, had become "humiliated and withdrawn," now lived in sheltered accommodation, and had "hit rock bottom."
Sentence
Recorder Barry Clarke stated, "Life as you know it has been ruined." Skillern was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. He must complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement, 200 hours of unpaid work, pay £500 in costs, and comply with sex offender notification requirements and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.
