Locations
High Street, Staple Hill, Bristol, BS16
Description
"Why was he released twice? It baffles me as to how that could be allowed to happen"
A man has been jailed after being caught trying to target underage children online.
Simon Wilkinson exhibited a persistent, perverted aim to chat sexually with under-age girls and have intimacy with them, Bristol Crown Court heard.
However, he was inadvertently speaking to 'paedophile hunters' posing as children.
But after initially being arrested he was released under investigation twice and re-offended twice before finally being brought to book with a third arrest.
Wilkinson, 40, of High Street in Staple Hill, pleaded guilty to three charges of attempting sexual communication with a child and three charges of attempting a child to engage in sexual activity.
He also admitted possessing and making indecent images of children.
Judge Julian Lambert jailed him for 16 months.
He told the court: "Why was he released twice? It baffles me as to how that could be allowed to happen.
"It is terribly worrying for the public."
Wilkinson was handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, banning him from unchecked internet use or contact with children.
He was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely.
Richard Posner, prosecuting, said Wilkinson was initially snared when he made lewd suggestions to "Clare aged 14", who turned out to be a paedophile hunter from the group Safeguarding The Innocent.
When Wilkinson's telephone was analysed it was found he had deleted three child abuse photos in the Category C lowest level of concern.
Mr Posner said: "He was released under investigation.
"He returned to a similar pattern of offences of a similar nature."
The court heard Wilkinson then chatted sexually online with "Megan, 15" - who turned out to be the same paedophile hunter who caught him the first time.
Mr Posner said: "Police were informed again.
"He was arrested again and in interview, he again made no comment.
"He was released again pending further investigation."
After being released Wilkinson resumed lewd chats with "Megan, 15" and was reported again and arrested a final, third time.
A telephone in his possession then had 23 deleted child abuse images, 11 of which were in the Category A highest level of concern.
Mr Posner told the judge the police's primary focus had been on any other victims being exploited, in a protracted investigation which included interrogation of devices.
Clare Fear, defending, said her "lonely" client had done some thinking on remand and aimed to do all he could to "put himself right".