Banbury man asked for images from ’13-year-old’ girl

Samuel Haynes, of Mold Crescent, Banbury, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, April 10.

The 28-year-old previously pleaded guilty to three offences.

He admitted to sending sexual messages to someone he believed to be a child under the age of 16 in Banbury on January 5.

Haynes also pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order, first imposed in April last year, by using an internet chat forum and contacting a child who believed was under 16.

He also admitted these offences were committed in breach of a suspended sentence, also imposed in April last year.

Tom Blackburn, prosecuting, told the court that in January, Haynes signed up for a social media app called SayHi.

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The court heard he communicated with an account he believed was a 13-year-old girl, however it was being run as a decoy account by a paedophile hunter social media group.

Mr Blackburn told the court the account made it clear she was a ’13-year-old girl’. However Haynes requested indecent images.

He was confronted at his home by the hunter group. Police attended and he was arrested on January 9.

In police interview, Haynes gave mostly ‘no comment’, but did say ‘it wasn’t me, I don’t know how they linked it to me’.

However, he later pleaded guilty at his first appearance at crown court.

Gordana Austin, mitigating, said: “By the fact he pleaded guilty, he has accepted responsibility. People find it difficult to discuss these matters and admit to it.

“He hasn’t fully explained the reasons for doing so. He now finds himself in custody. He has faced significant difficulties in his life.

“He appreciates he has lost everything he has worked for over a number of years. He knows he is going to get immediate custody.

“He is planning to move away from the area. He hopes he will be able to find a job. He wants to work and provide for himself.

“He has overcome adversity in his life.”

Judge Maria Lamb said: “You thought you were communicating with a 13-year-old girl. You requested indecent images of her.

“Your address was identified and you denied the offences you have now pleaded guilty to.

“There is no mitigation for the offences themselves. I accept you have had a very difficult upbringing.

“There is nothing in your traumatic experiences which explain these offences.”

Haynes was jailed for a total of 23 months and an order was made for the forfeiture of his phone.