Eric Hughes, 36 of Deganwy appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court where he was sentenced for multiple online grooming offences.


A pervert who believed he was talking sexually to a young child has avoided a prison sentence

Eric Hughes, 36 of Deganwy appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court where he was sentenced for multiple online grooming offences.

The court was told that pub chef Hughes had contacted the online profile of who he believed was a child. He sent a string of sexually charged messages.

In June, 2018, whilst on his way to work at his local pub, Hughes was approached by a team of paedophile hunters. The group introduced themselves as ‘Catching Online Predators’ and that they catch sexual predators who target children online.

The police were called and Hughes was arrested.

It turns out he was one of 200 men who had contacted a fake profile on Facebook that had been created under the name Jade
Prosecutor Simon Rogers told Caernarfon Crown Court during Hughes’ sentencing hearing this week said the profile “made clear Jade was 14 years old and when the defendant sent a message this was spelled out to him”.

Mr Rogers added: “But he messaged her at all hours of the day and night. He asked for pictures of her and sent explicit images of himself.”

He said the messages continued from late February into March last year.

Hughes also contacted two other fake profiles and subjected them to the same volume of messages, images and requests.

The judge handed him a two year community order with a 30 day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement

He was told to complete 150 hours unpaid work

Hughes, now of Trecenydd, Caerphilly, was made the subject of a five-year sexual harm prevention order.

His details will remain on the sex offenders register for the same period. The judge also ordered his mobile phone be confiscated.