Crime & Safety
Banbury man avoids jail for sexual communication with child
Sam Castle, 30, of Kings Road, Banbury, pleaded guilty to the offence, which happened between April 16 and May 8, 2024 in Banbury.
He was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years.
Castle was also ordered to complete 26 days of rehabilitation activity and 150 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.
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He must pay £85 in costs and a £187 victim surcharge.
Sam Castle has been sentenced at court in Oxford. (Image: Contributed)
In addition, he was made subject to notification requirements for 10 years and a sexual harm prevention order for five years.
The court heard that Castle attempted to engage in sexual communication with a child for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification.
His messages included explicit questions and requests for images.
The court was told Castle did not reasonably believe the recipient was over the age of 16.