Thomas Serpell 28

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Thomas Serpell, 28, sent sexualised messages to a nine-year-old boy, asking him to “be his boyfriend”, to kiss him and if he could see him naked. The messages were described in court as “sexual and disturbed”.

Serpell later told the boy to delete the messages and not tell his mother, which the child did. He then claimed the messages were a “joke”. When reported to police, Serpell denied any messages had been sent.

At Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, the victim was said to have been left “confused and uncomfortable”. In a victim personal statement, the boy said he was now scared to go out alone, was struggling to eat and sleep, had become more isolated and at times “feels he doesn’t want to be here anymore”. There were concerns about self-harming.

Judge Paul Hobson told Serpell: “You only have to think how frightening and disturbing this episode must have been for that child. The impact on him has been significant.”

Serpell, of Regent Street, Aberaman, Aberdare, pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual communication with a child. He was previously of good character.

In mitigation, Nick Gedge said the offence occurred shortly after his client suffered an epileptic seizure. He added that Serpell knew what he had done was wrong and expressed “remorse and regret”. Mr Gedge said his client had been bullied at school and by his father because of his sexuality.

Judge Hobson rejected the mitigation, saying: “You claim you sent these messages after coming out of an epileptic seizure. I do not accept your illness had an impact on your behaviour or your recollection of what you did… Epilepsy does not cause people to sexually offend against children, you have sought to minimise your behaviour.”

Serpell was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. He was also made subject to a restraining order, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offender notification requirements, each for 10 years.