Malvern man sentenced for online child sex offences

A Malvern man has been sentenced to 6 years in prison after pleading guilty to child sexual offences committed online.

Robert Evans, aged 33, appeared at Worcester Crown Court yesterday.

Evans was arrested in March 2019 by West Mercia Police’s Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team as part of ‘Operation Safenet’. Forensic examination of digital devices recovered from Evans identified that he had been using false social media accounts to target and befriend children. Evans incited children into sexual communications and online sexual activity which he recorded.

Evans was also found to be in possession of indecent images of children including some in the most severe category.

Evans was charged with:

• Three counts of making indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child
• Three counts of distributing an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child
• One count of engaging in sexual communication with a child
• Four counts of attempting to cause/incite a child to engage in sexual activity
• One count for causing/inciting a child U13 to engage in sexual activity
• One count for causing a child to watch a sexual act

He has also been registered as a sex offender and given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Chief Inspector Gavin Kinrade said: “Evans preyed on some of the most vulnerable members of our communities and has rightly been brought to justice today.

“He targeted children using false profiles on social media platforms and incited children to engage in sexual communications and activity which he recorded for his own sexual gratification.

“Whilst social media and the internet provide a wealth of positive opportunities children and parents need to be aware of the dangers and know how to spot signs of online child sexual exploitation.

I would encourage parents and guardians to take an active interest into who their children are talking to online.

“I would like to pay tribute to the painstaking work undertaken by my officers in dealing with this case and tracing a number of the children involved, and for the children’s bravery in coming forward to provide evidence of Mr Evans’ offending.”

He continued: “I hope this will encourage other victims to speak out in order to gain the justice they deserve and prevent dangerous offending. We want victims to know that we will always treat their reports seriously.”

If you have been a victim of online sexual abuse, or are worried about someone you know being abused, please contact West Mercia Police on telephone 101.