Locations
Monk Street, Aberdare, South Glamorgan, Rhondda Cynon Taff, CF44
Description
A paedophile believed he was making arrangements to have sex with a seven-year-old girl in messages with her father but was speaking to an undercover officer. He told the "father" he had previously had sexual activity with an eight-year-old girl, and told him "I really hope it's not a fantasy mate, I'm really up for it".
Jamie Bartlett, 46, of Aberdare, spoke to the undercover officer over the course of two days in October 2021. The officer told the defendant, who used the name "LoveTeenCuties", he was a father of a seven-year-old girl named "Lolly".
A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Tuesday heard the "father" was offering the fictional Lolly as a sexual object and became involved in a conversation with Bartlett. When asked what he was looking for, the defendant said he was interested in prepubescent children. When told that Lolly was "seven-years-old", he responded "Mate, that's perfect to be honest, tell me more about her".
When asked what he was into, Bartlett said: "Sniffing, perving, a bit of touching". The "father" said he would make an arrangement for "a play date" with Lolly, to which the defendant responded "Oh yes, oh my God. What are the rules". The officer told him he would need to pay in cash, drive to his flat and would need to bring "a toy, condoms and lube".
The defendant was asked what he wanted to do, and he said: "Touching her bum and p****, kissing her." When asked if he had done anything like this before, he said: "Yeah but she was eight LOL". He added: "I really hope it's not a fantasy mate, I'm really up for it." Bartlett also asked: "Is she ok taking c*** in her p**** because I'm not small".
Prosecutor Paul Hewitt said a date was arranged to meet and the defendant asked if Lolly could wear her school uniform. But when the officer tried to contact Bartlett to arrange a meeting place, he stopped communication and didn't respond to messages.
Police attended the defendant's home on January 18, 2022, but he wasn't there. Officers spoke to his then partner and attended his work place where he was arrested. His mobile phone was seized, on which indecent images of children and extreme pornography was discovered.
During his police interview, he admitted he had a sexual interest in children, but claimed he had no intention of acting on this interest. He claimed he believed the conversation with the undercover officer was "a fantasy" and he had ended the conversation when he believed the other person was serious.
Bartlett, of Monk Street, was found guilty of attempting to arrange or facilitate sexual activity with a child, following a trial. He had already pleaded guilty to possession of indecent and extreme images. The court heard he was of previous good character.
In mitigation, defence barrister John Ryan described his client as a "lonely and inadequate person" who had "given in to fantasy". He said the defendant had been described as "kind and loving" by his family and provided help to his mother who had suffered strokes and seizures. Since his arrest, he has been engaging with Stop It Now which was said to have given him insight into the damage his offences cause.
Sentencing, Judge Lucy Crowther said: "You admitted this conversation took place and said it was all fantasy. You admitted you had an interest in children but had no intention of carrying it out. The jury rejected your explanation."
Bartlett was sentenced to a total of three years and three months imprisonment. He was made subject to sex offender notification requirements indefinitely. A hearing to determine the details of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order will be held at a later date.