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A man who admitted to attempting to speak to young girls online has been jailed.

Elwyn Jones, 64, of Nant Peris, appeared for sentencing at Caernarfon Crown Court on 4 September.

He previously admitted to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, distribute an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child and three counts of making indecent photographs / pseudo-photographs of a child.

He also admitted to possessing extreme pornography and possessing a prohibited image of a child.

In November 2025, Jones began speaking to who he believed was a 13-year-old girl online.

He encouraged their communication to be sexual and sent indecent images to her.

He did not know that this was a fake profile, and he was arrested by police.

He was jailed for three years, made subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and will be on the sex offender register for life.

Detective Constable Megan Roberts said:

“Jones has proved himself to be a danger to children by attempting sexualised communication with a young girl.

“It is lucky on this occasion that this was a decoy profile and that no child became victim to his predatory behaviour.

“We remain committed to protecting all young people from those who attempt to abuse them.”

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Sexual Abuse Survivor Speaks Out Against 'Golden Boy' Restaurant Manager Jailed for Child Rape

A sexual abuse survivor has described years of ordeal at the hands of Richard Tung, a respected restaurant manager dubbed the “golden boy” of his local community.

Tung, 42, of Penisa’r Waun, Gwynedd, ran Fu’s Restaurant in Caernarfon, Wales. He was jailed for 12 years last month after a jury convicted him of seven sexual offences against a boy, including two counts of raping a child under 13. He was also found guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of indecent assault.

Tung is no longer connected to the restaurant and the offences were not linked to his work there.

The victim, now in his 20s and granted lifelong anonymity, told NorthWalesLive he was groomed by a man everyone trusted.

“He would play games, he would let me use his mobile phone, everyone thought he was a lovely guy. They thought he could do no wrong so he was trusted,” the survivor said.

“I did not know it was wrong – until it suddenly came to me that ‘this is not normal’. I tried to fight him off but he was bigger than me, stronger than me.”

He added: “He was a ‘golden boy’, everyone loved him, it would be my word against his.”

The victim said he clearly remembers confronting his abuser: “I told him ‘this is the last time you are doing this to me’ and it was the last time.”

For a decade he blamed himself. “From 14 to 24 I blamed myself. I thought it was my fault, it damaged me so much – anxiety, PTSD, depression, struggling to sleep. I was in and out of counselling therapy.”

He first disclosed the abuse at 19 to an ex-boyfriend, then to his sister at 21. “She believed me, she was there for me but I did not want to go to the police,” he said. In his mid-20s he told his current partner and the rest of his family. He reported the crimes to police in 2022.

Tung denied everything at trial but was convicted earlier this year. “He denied everything, but I remembered everything,” the survivor said.

Through extensive therapy the man no longer blames himself. “It is not my fault and knowing that has healed me. Now there is justice – I finally know he has not got away with it.

“My other motivation was to protect others. I needed to say something because no-one suspected he could do this. If I did nothing he could do it to others.”

In his victim personal statement read at Nottingham Crown Court, he described the lasting impact:

“My life has been significantly impacted because of the abuse. I’m still very vigilant because I’m scared of potential danger. It’s so tiring because I’m scanning people all the time to see if I’m safe.

“I don’t like being alone. I’m scared of being left at home at night and I run from room to room because I’m scared someone is going to hurt me. My anxiety is still present and I overthink things a lot.”

Of the trial itself he said: “Having to reopen everything and relive memories was uncomfortable. I hate seeing his face as it makes my skin crawl, but in court I made sure I looked at him.

“The whole trial was so emotionally draining and stressful. The worst week of my life. Waiting for the verdict was so much because I wanted someone to validate my abuse – I wasn’t crazy.”

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Sion Douglas Griffiths denied the charge

A man who raped his victim whilst she slept has been jailed.

Sion Douglas Griffiths (38), of King Edwards Street, Barmouth denied the charge which related to an incident that occurred at a property in Llanrwst in August 2021.

His victim was sleeping when she woke up to Griffiths sexually assaulting her. She told him to stop but he continued despite her trying to push him away. He continued with his attack until she again told him to stop.

Griffiths was found guilty of one count of Rape at a trial at Caernarfon Crown Court in March of this year. Yesterday he was sentenced at Mold Crown Court to seven years imprisonment.

He was also made the subject of a lifetime restraining order, prohibiting him from contacting the victim, and he will be placed on the Sex Offender’s Register indefinitely.

In a powerful personal statement read to the Court, the victim described how the incident has had a significant effect on her in the intervening time, including suffering panic attacks, and feeling scared and uncomfortable around men.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Sergeant Owen Taylor of the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit said:

“I welcome today’s sentence which sends a clear message that sexual violence in any form is not acceptable.

“I would like to praise the courage and determination of the victim who has endured a protracted process to get to today’s result. Her strength is commendable.

“If you have been the victim of a sexual offence, please be assured specialist officers will take your report seriously and conduct a suspect focussed investigation.

“Violence against women and girls is a force priority and we will relentlessly work to bring offenders to justice.”

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A paedophile sexually abused a 14-year-old schoolgirl while on bail for grooming a 13-year-old, a court heard.

Cian Williams, 18 at the time, sent sexual messages to the 13-year-old on Snapchat in 2024, offering her cannabis for a sex act and requesting explicit images. While on bail, he targeted a 14-year-old, inviting her to his home for sex and sending her explicit photos.

Williams, now 20, admitted to multiple offences, including sexual activity with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and grooming. A charge of perverting the course of justice was left on file. He was sentenced to nine years’ detention, with two-thirds served in custody and the rest on licence.

The 13-year-old victim felt betrayed, struggled to trust others, and feared encountering Williams. The 14-year-old experienced anger, loneliness, panic attacks, and nightmares. Defence counsel noted Williams’ bipolar disorder diagnosis and immaturity, but Judge Nicola Jones deemed the offences too serious for anything but immediate custody.

Williams received an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, barring him from school grounds, a 15-year restraining order against contacting the victims, and a deprivation order for his mobile phones.

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A young woman raped multiple times today said her childhood had been stolen from her but she is leaving the "darkness" behind. Osian Owen, now 28, raped the girl when she was under 13 and targeted another victim several years ago.

Mold Crown Court heard he had been found guilty of five counts of rape against the first victim after a trial last month. He was also convicted of causing or inciting the second girl, also aged under 13 at the time, to engage in sexual activity.

Today a judge branded the defendant, of Min y Ddol, Maesgeirchen, Bangor, as "depraved" and said he had shown no remorse for his crimes. At a sentencing hearing, prosecutor Joshua Gorst said the rape victim wanted to read out a statement about her ordeal herself.

The young woman, who cannot be named to protect her anonymity, said she was disbelieved until the truth came out. She said of Owen: "He stole my childhood (but) today I leave all the darkness, shame and burden with you.

"I will carry on - free from the shadows of your cruelty." The prosecutor read out a statement by the second victim, who cannot be named either.

In it she said Owen had made her feel disgusted and dirty and it made her school life harder. She added: "It was a horrible secret to keep."

It was so long ago she didn't think anyone would believe her but she eventually felt able to speak out as an older teenager. "This made her a stronger version of herself. I could stop being your victim and leave the past behind," she added.

Gareth Bellis, defending, said Owen was a much younger person when he committed his crimes over six months.

The judge His Honour Rhys Rowlands called the defendant "depraved" and said his behaviour had been shameful and wrong. He jailed Owen for four and a half years for each of five counts of raping a girl under 13, to run concurrently, and for six months for causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He must sign the Sex Offender's Register indefinitely and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order. He was also handed a ten-year restraining order prohibiting him from contacting his victims.

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A Welsh headteacher has been found guilty of sexual abuse involving four girls. Neil Foden, 66, who worked at a school in North Wales, was charged with 20 offences against five girls, who cannot be identified to protect their anonymity.

He stood impassively in the dock at Mold Crown Court as the jury foreman read out the guilty verdicts on 19 out of 20 indictments. The jury of seven women and five men delivered their verdicts on the defendant, of Gwynant, Old Colwyn, after a three-week trial.

The judge His Honour Rhys Rowlands called him "arrogant and controlling" man who was used to getting his own way. He said some explanations for his behaviour "beggared belief".

The court heard concerns about Foden were raised with Cyngor Gwynedd at an earlier stage. Judge Rowlands said: “When real concerns were first raised about the defendant with the county council they were simply dismissed, pretty much out of hand.”

He said no investigation was carried out and no notes were taken. He added: “We now know he continued to offend. That’s very concerning indeed.”

Foden was convicted of sexual activity with a child, using or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to arrange or incite sexual activity with a child by penetration, engaging in sexual communication with a child, two counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust and possession of an indecent photograph of a child, North Wales Live reported.

He adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be made. Foden is due to be sentenced at Mold Crown Court on July 1. The judge told him to expect a sentence of some length.

Speaking after the verdict, Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Evans said: “We welcome the jury’s verdict following a difficult case and thank them for their diligent work.

“My thoughts remain with the victims and their families today, who have shown dignity and bravery throughout the trial and we will continue to support in moving forward.

“I will make further comment after the sentencing hearing.”

Foden’s offending came to light in September 2023 when the first victim made disclosures. As part of the investigation another four victims were identified, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

The evidence presented included the victims accounts. Those accounts were corroborated by the evidence obtained by the police in the form of mobile devices, computers seized, forensic evidence and financial enquiries. Text messages and calls linked Foden to the victims. Foden denied all charges against him and choose not to answer any question during his police interviews.

Ceri Ellis-Jones of the CPS said: “These crimes were shocking as Foden was a trusted and well-respected individual, who used that to his advantage. He abused his position of trust and targeted the most vulnerable females he was entrusted to safeguard.

“The victims are to be commended for their bravery in coming forward and giving evidence. Their support for this prosecution has been key to Foden being brought to justice.

“I would also like to thank the specialist team at North Wales Police with whom we closely collaborated from the outset. We were able to present a compelling case to the jury, resulting in these convictions".

A Cyngor Gwynedd spokesperson said: "As a council, we welcome the court's decision. We are appalled by the nature of the crimes committed and commend and admire the remarkable courage and resilience the victims and their families have displayed throughout the process.

They said: "As a result, pastoral arrangements put in place for pupils at the start of the criminal proceedings will continue for the foreseeable future. From the beginning of this case, Cyngor Gwynedd has worked closely with North Wales Police to ensure that the Wales Safeguarding Procedures have been followed in full.

"Now that the criminal process has concluded, the task of reviewing work practices and establishing what lessons can be learnt will begin. Due to the serious nature of the case, arrangements are being made to carry out an independent review in accordance with national Child Practice Review guidelines. The exact form of the review is currently being determined.

"Until all relevant investigations and reviews have been completed, it would not be appropriate...to comment further."

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A rapist pretended to help a woman home before pocketing her keys and returning the same night to attack her. The victim was in no condition to consent.

Gareth Druce, 33, of Blaenau Ffestiniog, observed and followed the victim, who had become ill after drinking. Another man was helping her to walk home, but was struggling to keep her on her feet.

A sentencing hearing at Caernarfon Crown Court on Monday heard the defendant offered to help but upon entering the victim's home, he took her keys. After initially leaving with the other man, he returned later that night and raped the victim in her home.

CCTV footage showed Druce returning to the victim's home alone, a key piece of evidence which led to his conviction. Footage also showed the defendant's behaviour in the hours leading up to the incident, when he had been observing and following lone women.

It was also discovered he had carried out a sexual assault on another woman two months before the rape. Druce, of Church Street, was found guilty of rape following a seven-day trial. He also pleaded guilty to the sexual assault charge.

Recorder I Jones sentenced the defendant to 12 years imprisonment, with an extended licence period of four years, after being found to be a dangerous offender. He was also made subject to sex offender notification requirements, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and two restraining orders.

Following the hearing, Ceri Ellis-Jones of the CPS said: There could be no suggestion that the victim would have been in any position to give her consent to sexual activity. The defendant deliberately targeted the victim who was vulnerable and, under the pretence of helping her, was able to enter her property.

The police built a strong case against the defendant utilising the CCTV and digital enquiries. By working together, we were able to secure a conviction for the victim."

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A convicted rapist created a secret online dating username while on licence from prison.

Jay Humphries, 36, was jailed in 2018 under his previous name Jonathan Drakeford. He is the son of First Minister Mark Drakeford.

Caernarfon Magistrates' Court heard he used an unapproved profile name on the Fab Guys website and deleted internet browsing history from his phone.

Humphries admitted both offences and will be sentenced on 11 August.

Humphries was arrested in Bangor, Gwynedd in March after being released from prison on licence.

The hearing on Friday was told use of the Fab Guys account had been approved by police, but the name he used - naughty 5007387 - was not.

An agreed name was required to allow police to monitor his online activity.

The court was told he claimed deleting the internet history from his phone was an accident, but prosecutor Catherine Elvin said his guilty plea indicated it was a deliberate measure "to conceal" his actions.

While no individuals had been harmed by the breaches, Ms Elvin added: "Sexual harm prevention orders are put in place for a reason."

Defending Humphries, Gemma Morgan said he had been struggling to come to terms with his personal situation after being released from prison, and being forced to live in approved accommodation in north Wales away from his family.

The court was also told he was also dealing with the death of his mother Clare Drakeford in January.

"He was suffering emotionally," said Ms Morgan.

"He was speaking to other men on Fab Guys expressing his feelings."

The court was told those feelings and his actions were compounded by learning difficulties and being autistic.

Magistrates were told Humphries had since been recalled to prison in May after other breaches of his release licence, including leaving an abusive phone message for a probation officer.

In 2018, Humphries was handed an eight year and eight month sentence at Cardiff Crown Court after being found guilty of rape and inflicting actual bodily harm. He also admitted to a child sexual offence after messaging a girl on Facebook who he thought was 15 years old.

After Humphries's 2018 conviction, Mark Drakeford said it had been a "distressing period" for the family, adding "our thoughts are with all those caught up in it, especially the victim".

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A 34-year-old Dolgellau man has been sentenced to 11 years imprisonment for rape.

Thomas John Cato, of Bristol House, Smithfield Street, Dolgellau, was sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court yesterday, Wednesday, 14 June, after being convicted of a rape that occurred in Dolgellau on 9 November, 2022.

He received an 11-year custodial sentence, with an extended period of six years on license following his release.

Cato was also made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), must register as a sex offender for life, and was handed an indefinite restraining order against the victim.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Bethany Clarke said: “Cato is a dangerous individual with a history of violent behaviour.

“The length of his sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence and the impact it has had on not just the victim, but on the local community.

“My thoughts are with the victim who has shown remarkable bravery throughout the investigation, and I hope that she can find closure and comfort in knowing that justice has been served today.”

Detective Inspector Chris Hargrave of the North Wales Amethyst Team said: “We continue to be committed to bringing perpetrator of sexual crimes to justice and I would encourage anyone who wishes to report a sexual crime to come forward and speak to us.

“The Amethyst team is made up of specially trained officers to support victims through the investigation. We work closely with the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) to provide confidential medical, practical and emotional support from specialist doctors, nurses and support workers.”

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A dad-of-two who kissed a young man with autism in a Wetherspoons toilet cubicle without consent was jailed for sexual assault today. Stephen Freer, 45, of Parciau in Mynytho, Gwynedd approached his victim at the pub chain's Pen Cob site in Pwllheli last March.

Prosecutor, Simon Mintz, said the young man in his 20s was out for a meal with his family and had been to the toilets at the pub three times during his visit. Freer, who was also there on every occasion cracked a joke that the pair must have "synchronised bladders".

The court heard how Freer stood in the doorway of a cubicle whilst the victim washed his hands during the third trip to the toilets. Freer, 45, then beckoned him into the cubicle before kissing him on the lips.

Mr Mintz said the victim was "too frightened to resist" and scared of what would happen if he didn't respond the way the dad-of-two wanted. A family member noticed the victim was "in a state of shock" after leaving the toilets alongside Freer.

Freer claimed the young man had just been sick, complaining to him about an "upset tummy". But the victim's relatives confronted the defendant, said Mr Mintz, who continued denied anything else happened in the toilets.

The victim only revealed to his family what really happened once they left the pub. The police were then informed.

Freer was arrested and at first continued to deny anything happened between the men but later admitted to the kiss but claimed to have "reasonable belief" it was consensual.

The victim's sister, through a victim impact statement, said her brother blamed himself for the incident. She went on to say that he is "reluctant to go out" and remains "anxious and distrustful" when in social situations.

Elen Owen, defending told the court her client had "no idea" of the victim's autism. She argued that this case did not involve a "significant degree of planning" of Freer's part, claiming that he was already in the toilets when the complainant arrived the third time, adding it was a "chance encounter" at the time the assault took place.

Freer accepted, through Ms Owen, that he'd been drinking "enough to loosen his inhibitions" that day. The barrister said that, in the sober light of day he accepted what he did was wrong.

She said: "He is not a danger to other people and has learnt his lesson. He will not repeat these out-of-character actions again."

Recorder Wyn Lloyd-Jones said he "would not be doing his job properly" if he did not send Freer straight to prison for his eight month sentence for what must have been a "frightening" experience for the victim. He told Freer that he'd also need to register as a sex offender for the next decade.

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A sex offender on a suspended sentence went back to his "old ways" and had indecent images on the Kik app. Sion Wyn Thomas, 43, messaged a man with supposedly similar interests but that man was an undercover Metropolitan Police officer.

Police also found small-sized women's clothes and underwear in his car. Caernarfon Crown Court heard Thomas, of Orme Road, Bangor, had been given a 12-month prison term, suspended for 18 months, for distributing indecent images of young children, and was also given a ten-year sexual harm prevention order, in December 2021.

He completed the requirements but his attitude was "superficial", according to the probation service.

Earlier this year, a Metropolitan Police officer investigating the sexual abuse of young children online created various Messenger accounts, including one on the Kik app, said prosecutor Elen Owen.

She said people with shared interests could join a group, which could have up to 50 members or more.

Ms Owen said that on April 18 this year the police officer using a certain profile name was contacted by someone using the "John Smith" profile, who said he was a 39-year-old man. It was Sion Wyn Thomas.

Ms Owen said after exchanges between them and further enquiries North Wales Police decided to go to Thomas's home. They searched his property and his car and found "small-sized women's clothing and underwear" in the vehicle.

Police also seized his phone and tablet and found 15 images of naked girls, images of girls aged between eight and 12 and chats about the sexual abuse of young girls. It was however unclear whether Thomas himself had contributed to those conversations, said Ms Owen.

Thomas admitted breaching a sexual harm prevention order and breaching the terms of a suspended sentence.

Anna Price, defending, said Thomas can't explain his behaviour. It was towards the end of the suspension of his sentence from 2021.

He did comply with the rehabilitation activity and alcohol treatment treatment requirement programme from that sentence, she added.

But the court heard today the probation service deemed his attendance at meetings "superficial".

Indeed the judge His Honour Rhys Rowlands told Thomas today the terms of his SHPO prohibited him from using social media without strict controls but he went onto Kik.

He had shown "unnatural and extremely worrying behaviour".

The judge added: "It shows you have learned absolutely nothing from your time on the suspended sentence." His non-compliance with the SHPO showed he was "seeking to revert to (his) old ways".

He said there was no prospect of rehabilitation and jailed Thomas for ten months for breaching the SHPO and six months to run consecutively for breaching the terms of a suspended sentence.

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A man tried to kill himself days before he was due to be sentenced for sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman. Kenny Jones, 38, had denied the offence but was convicted after a trial. A judge at his sentencing hearing in Caernarfon Crown Court today was told Jones had been in hospital all week before his court appearance.

But the judge said the effect of the crime on his victim, who is still traumatised by the 2020 assault, was so serious he "would not be doing his job properly" if he didn't send Jones straight to prison, which he did for two years.

The court heard the victim had been at a property on Anglesey on November 22, 2020 when Jones grabbed her arms, "squeezed and bruised them", and asked her to kiss him. She refused but he tried to kiss her. He also made a lewd reference to her.

Then Jones, of Llwyn Onn, Amlwch, left and took a car without the owner's consent, even though he had no driving licence or insurance. The court heard he had committed the sexual assault for his own "selfish, sexual gratification".

In a statement, the victim said she used to be "bubbly and outgoing" but after the offence she felt embarrassed and guilty that "people would judge her for not trying to fight him off".

Her life was "shattered" and she doesn't go to the area where it happened as she is "terrified" she will see the offender. She now distrusts men and is seeking counselling. She added: "Kenny Jones is still ruining my life...Kenny Jones has no idea of the pain he has caused me."

Dafydd Roberts, defending, pointed out that Jones had lost his young son in 2010 and was seriously assaulted in 2017 and is still on medication. Then he tried to take his own life.

He said: "Mr Kenny Jones presents to the court in a very dark place. In the early hours of Monday this week Mr Jones did make an attempt on his life. He was admitted to hospital and has been in hospital all this week up until Thursday. He remains in a very low mood."

But he said the probation service believe that his client could be rehabilitated and asked the judge to suspend any prison sentence.

Mr Roberts added that Jones has taken to drink and drugs as a crutch to deal with his issues. "He desperately wants to break free from that cycle."

He would have fresh medication in prison which would make life difficult. He is not a lost cause and could do a drug rehabilitation programme as recommended by the probation service. He has worked to improve his accommodation and has the support of his mother.

But the judge Mr Recorder Wyn Lloyd Jones told the defendant he had sexually assaulted the woman "for his selfish, sexual gratification".

He said: "It's clear that this offence has had a significant effect on her mentally and emotionally. I would not be doing my job properly today if I suspend the sentence. An immediate prison sentence is appropriate for what you did and the effect it had on this victim."

He also imposed a ten-year restraining order prohibiting Jones from contacting the woman, who cannot be named to protect her identity.

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A convicted sex offender who set up as an online clairvoyant has been sent back to jail.

Under a false name, Llewelyn Buckland posted Tarot readings, some of which were sexual, a judge at Caernarfon crown court heard.

Appearing via video link from prison Buckland, 48, of Frankwell Street, Tywyn in south Gwynedd, admitted five charges involving downloading indecent images of children and of extreme porn, and breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

It happened soon after release from a previous sentence.

Simon Rogers, defending, said there had been no sophistication in the latest offences.

"It was inevitable he would be caught because his phone was not only monitored by software but checked by police," he added.

Jailing him for 16 months Judge Timothy Petts said : “The main aggravating feature was your previous offences.”

A sex offenders’ order remains in operation for life.

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A masked sex offender performed a sex act near a girl, 10 as she sat in her mum's car. The youngster had just been picked up from school and was waiting while her mum popped into the shops.

Gwion Griffiths, 32, appeared to be "waving" at the girl from a flat window in Dolgellau, Gwynedd, last December as he carried out the act. Griffiths, who had earlier pleaded guilty to exposure was jailed today Caernarfon Magistrates for 24 weeks a a danger to the public.

Prosecutor Sion ap Mihangel said the girl, who cannot be named to protect her identity, had been collected from school and driven to Dolgellau town centre. The girl was sitting on a booster seat on the front passenger seat while her mother left her for "five minutes or so" to pop to the shops, Mr ap Mihangel said. 

The girl saw Griffiths in a flat across the road from a shop. She noticed a Christmas tree and a male who "appeared to be waving at her".

But, the prosecutor said: "He was wearing a mask and a jumper" and was snaked from the waist down. She could see he was shaking his p**** or "p" as the girl put it. In other words he was performing a sex act, the prosecutor said.

The court heard the mother came back to the car and the girl told her "to just drive". "She had her hands up to her face as if she was blocking her vision.

"She told her mum she had seen a man in a window. He was holding his w**** and swinging it around," the prosecutor told the court. The court heard the woman and her husband discussed the incident and decided to tell the police.

Griffiths was traced and initially denied the offence of exposure. But he admitted his guilt shortly before his trial, meaning that his victim did not have to give evidence.

In fact, Mr ap Mihangel said the girl had been "totally unaware" that there was a possibility that she may have had to testify, with her parents revealing she had tried to blank out the entire incident. The prosecution had been told that a late guilty plea was likely.

Today the court also heard that Griffiths had moved from another Gwynedd town following a conviction in March last year for an almost identical offence. He received an eight-month jail term, suspended for 24 months, for that crime.

Carla Forfar, defending Griffiths, said the latest offence in Dolgellau had been "a chance matter". "He was in his flat. He had not sought out his victim. He has seen a chance and has overcome his inhibitions," she said.

He had been "playing with his p**** and would appear" to have performed a sex act. She said Griffiths, of Smithfield Street, Dolgellau, is isolated and the sort of person who stays in his flat most of the time.

Over the summer he managed to hold down a job in the hospitality industry. But he would very much like to get help. "He's not without saving," she added.

Earlier, the defence solicitor had argued that Griffiths had been "crying out for some help" and applied for an adjournment for a psychiatric assessment to be carried out. But the magistrates rejected that application.

Magistrates chairman Sarah Foskett imposed the immediate prison term, saying: "The reason it's not suspended is the risk and danger to the public." She told Griffiths his name would be placed on the Sex Offenders' Register, and he would have to register with the police, for the seven years.

He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the next five years. On his release from prison he must pay a £128 surcharge.

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A convicted sex offender who pretended to be a 14-year-old girl on Snapchat has been sent back to prison. Kevin Hopson, of Abergwyngregyn, appeared before Caernarfon Crown Court after admitting breaching his sexual harm prevention order and making indecent photographs of children.

Hopson was previously jailed in July 2018 for three years after downloading and distributing indecent images of children. As part of his punishment, a judge ruled that the former Holyhead resident stay on the sex offenders register for life and his internet usage be monitored.

Prosecuting, Richard Edwards, told the court that the defendant found himself back in the dock having reverted to his old habits. He explained how the police became aware in June 2021 that a Snapchat account not known to them was connecting to Hopson's broadband account and was being used to share indecent images online.

The 46-year-old was discovered to have created the social media account under a false identity. He was found to be pretending to be a 14-year-old girl called Lexi, the court heard.

He was swiftly arrested but chose to answer no comment to the police's question when interviewed about the allegation. At this point, his mobile phone had been examined and just over a dozen still images of girls aged roughly 12 to 14 were recovered.

Mr Edwards said this was a "deliberate breach" of his court order. He would have been hiding this secret whilst completing a sex offenders course with the probation service.

The court heard that Hopson won't be helped by his previous convictions of a similar nature. These included him creating fake social media profiles where he both encouraged youngsters to send him indecent photos of themselves and then distributed those images by posing as a teenage girl himself.

Defending, Patrick Gartland, told the judge how there was no evidence that his client made any contact with children using the account. However, he said there was "limited mitigation" for the defendant's behaviour.

Judge Timothy Petts, jailing Hopson for two years and fours months, said he was "only superficially engaging" in the help being given to address his sex offending. He added that the "worrying" factor in this case was the fact the authorities will never know exactly what the account was used for as Hopson wiped data from the device.

He said: "You did risk causing very serious harm and distress as the only reason I can see why you would create a fake profile on Snapchat so you could offend in a way you have done previously. I bear in mind that you are not charged with that offence though."

The judge ordered that the mobile phone seized by the police be destroyed. He added that the lifelong sexual harm prevention order remains in force.

Speaking after sentencing, T/Detective Inspector Emma Gardner said: “I welcome today’s sentence, which underlines our commitment to ensuring that all perpetrators of sexual offences are relentlessly pursued and placed before the court. This sends a clear message that we as a force, and society in North Wales will not tolerate any acts of this nature, and we remain committed to making North Wales the safest place in the UK.”