A MAN who engaged in sexual chats with people he thought were children has avoided jail.

Euan Gibbons, 21, of Maes Pennant, Mostyn, appeared at Mold Crown Court on May 19 where he was sentenced for the offences of engaging in sexual chats with three people that he believed to be young girls and possessing indecent images and videos.

Prosecuting Andrew Green said that Gibbons’ online activities where brought to the attention of North Wales Police by a group called ‘Predator Closure’, who identify, trace and publicly expose those they discover to be engaging in sexual chats to people they believe to be underage girls.

The court heard how Gibbons has no previous convictions and although no formal diagnosis, he says he ‘suffers from social anxiety’ and ‘struggles to interact with others’.

Judge Niclas Parry said: “In June last year you made determined, repeated efforts to engage in serious sexual activity with three girls you believed to be aged between 12 and 14.

“You contacted them, they made it clear what ages they were but you went on to apply pressure to persuade them to ignore their parental and school guidance.”

He added: “You suggested you were prepared to travel to meet them.

“Had you had the opportunity; you would have met these girls.”

Judge Parry told the court that the activity Gibbons intended with the young girls placed the case in the "most serious category" which was aggravated by the multiple intended victims and the images.

However, he went on to say that "no harm was done" and the "reality is that mercifully there were no children and no sexual activity".

This meant a "substantial downward movement" in the categorisation of the offence.

Judge Parry said due to the seriousness of the offences, only a custodial sentence could be justified.

He gave Gibbons an 18-month custodial sentence which was suspended for two-years.

He was also given 150-hours of unpaid work and rehabilitation sessions as well as registering as a sex offender. A sexual harm prevention order of 10 years was also made.

Gibbons was given permission to use the internet but must tell North Wales Police the devices he has and cannot delete the history or dispose of them without permission.