Man sentenced for 'disgusting' child sex messages

A man who made "disgusting" sexual suggestions online to people he believed were children has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Shaun Elliott, 33, from Wallsend, thought he was sending "filthy" messages and pictures of himself to a 13-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Both were actually decoy profiles, with Judge Gavin Doig telling Elliott he was fortunate the recipients were not actual children.

Elliott, who was previously convicted for having indecent images of children, admitted three offences, including attempting to have sexual communications with a child, and was jailed for 18 months, suspended for two years.

Judge Doig said Elliott made "disgusting suggestions" and sent "filthy" messages to the two profiles in March and April last year.

Elliott, of Laurel Street, also sent the female profile pictures of himself performing a sex act, the court heard.

The judge said it was Elliott's "good fortune" the social media accounts were fake, adding: "Had either of these been real children, it would be very difficult to imagine anything other than a lengthy, immediate custodial sentence would be appropriate."

The court heard Elliott was caught with a stash of illegal images of children in 2017, for which he was given a community order in 2019, but he had not completed the order due to disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Judge Doig said Elliott would be given "a chance" to work with the probation service and address his offending, but warned him: "If I see you again I will lock you up immediately."

A sexual harm prevention order was made - to last10 years - and Elliott must also sign the Sex Offender Register for the same period.

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