Matthew Meyer, a resident of Stockham Park, Wantage, admitted to attempting to cause a child to watch sexual activity and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child in 2022.
Additional charges were brought against him in 2023 for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and breaching the conditions of a sexual harm prevention order. At the sentencing held on June 16 at Oxford Crown Court, details emerged regarding Meyer’s interactions with a decoy account impersonating a 14-year-old girl.
The court heard about exchanges of messages, with Meyer frequently requesting video calls. He approached the decoy account with inappropriate requests, such as showing his genitalia and asking if it wanted to see something ‘naughty’. Despite the account’s assertion of being 14 years old, Meyer persisted in suggesting video calls.
The decoy account subsequently reported these exchanges to the police, leading to Meyer’s arrest. Repeatedly, Meyer asked the account what was beneath the ‘girl’s’ top. On another occasion, Meyer engaged in inappropriate messages with a real girl, who identified herself as being eight years old, using an Xbox account.
Meyer asked personal questions and attempted to send a photo of himself. The situation escalated when the girl’s mother took over the account, and Meyer inquired about the child wearing pyjama bottoms. Notably, Meyer failed to register the Xbox and email accounts with the police, which was a breach of an existing order.
In mitigation, Bethan Chichester revealed that a psychologist’s assessment indicated Meyer’s cognitive challenges, highlighting his low IQ and memory struggles. She shared that Meyer had faced considerable difficulties throughout his life and was described as psychologically vulnerable.
Chichester emphasized Meyer’s progress and acknowledgment of the gravity of his actions. She noted his bond with his support dog, Ruby, as a positive influence, aiding his efforts to reform and avoid reoffending.
Judge Michael Gledhill KC granted Meyer one final opportunity, opting for an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years. Meyer was mandated to complete 20 rehabilitation days and 120 hours of unpaid work, in addition to covering £500 in costs.
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