Kyle Smith 31

Description

A paedophile breached a court order after downloading and using Snapchat which he used to speak to a 15-year-old girl. He later claimed he didn't know using the social media app was a breach of his conditions.

Kyle Smith, 31, of Cardiff, was previously sentenced to four years imprisonment after being convicted of seven acts of causing a child to engage in penetrative sexual activity. He coerced his victim into sending him photos and threatened to show the pictures to her family if she did not agree to meet him.

A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Thursday heard the defendant had committed a number of breaches by failing to comply with notification requirements. There were further breaches in relation to calls and messages to underage children.

Prosecutor James Evans said Smith was made subject to conditions which prevented him from using apps or software which did not retain history. On October 26 last year, a report was made to police by a 15-year-old girl who said the defendant had communicated with her on Snapchat.

Police attended Smith's home and arrested him, and seized two mobile phones and a tablet. He told officers he had been using Snapchat since 2021 and said he did not know it was a breach to use it. Mr Evans said this was not accepted by the prosecution.

Smith, of Hansen Street, Butetown, later pleaded guilty to breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. As well as his previous sexual offending, the defendant has convictions for affray, assaulting police officers, harassment and burglary.

Judge Matthew Porter-Bryant sentenced Smith to a total of 20 months imprisonment. He will serve half the sentence in custody before he is released to serve the remainder on licence.