Chris Williams, 40, was sentenced to 28 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after he stole photographs of a schoolgirl from her mother's Facebook page and forwarded them to a paedophile in the United States. The court heard that Williams engaged in explicit online conversations with a man named Ben in San Francisco, during which they discussed child sexual abuse and exchanged indecent images of young girls they had covertly captured.
Details of the Offences
Prosecutor Joseph Hocquard told the court that Williams was caught on September 23 last year after police visited his home following a tip-off about his online criminal activity. Officers confiscated his phone and found photos of a teenage girl in her school uniform. Although the images were not indecent, Williams was arrested.
A full search of the phone uncovered 103 indecent images, including 41 of Category A, which depict the most severe forms of child sexual abuse and rape. Officers also discovered 81 extreme images featuring bestiality.
Online Conversations and Distribution
Williams' phone revealed extensive conversations on the Telegram app between him, using the alias "Welsh Guy," and a man named Ben in San Francisco. The duo discussed in graphic detail the types of child sexual abuse they wished to partake in and shared indecent images of young girls as well as videos of themselves masturbating.
Williams also urged his American contact to sexually assault his daughter while she slept, suggesting he administer drugs to keep her unconscious and expressing a desire to participate in the abuse. He sent the man Facebook photos of the teenager in her school uniform.
Sentencing and Judge's Remarks
Judge Huw Rees described Williams' sexual interest in young children as "deeply unhealthy and degenerate" and said his crimes should be a source of "undying shame." He rejected Williams' denial of sexual attraction to children, stating, "that is wholly false, and I reject it entirely."
With a one-third reduction for his guilty pleas, Williams was jailed for 28 months. He will serve half the sentence before being released on licence. He will be registered as a sex offender for ten years and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.
Background and Mitigation
Williams, from Waun Wen, Cwmavon, Afan Valley, had no prior convictions. He admitted to three counts of possessing indecent images of Categories A, B, and C, distributing indecent images of Category A, taking indecent images of Category C, and possessing extreme images.
Andrew Evans, representing Williams, said a pre-sentence report could not propose an alternative to immediate imprisonment. He expressed hope that his client would engage with agencies to understand the motivations behind his criminal behaviour. The barrister added that Williams was worried about the impact of his conviction on his children and his former partner.
