A man who sent what he admitted were “disgusting” sexual messages to someone he believed was a child was spared jail today.
Robert Gerard Shread, 66, from the Rawcliffe area of York, used chat websites and apps to message what he thought was a 12-year-old girl.
He discussed sexual acts and asked her to send him indecent photographs.
But the ‘girl’ was actually an undercover investigator, and the messages were passed to North Yorkshire Police’s online child abuse team.
Shread was arrested in January 2024. In interview, he stated that what he had done was for his own sexual gratification.
He admitted the communication was “disgusting” and “not appropriate for someone of that age”.
Shread pleaded guilty at York Magistrates Court in April 2025. He appeared at York Crown Court today (Monday) for sentence.
He was handed a ten-month sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid community work, and engage in rehabilitation.
DC Melanie Gladwell, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “The defendant demonstrated a sexual interest in communicating with a 12-year-old girl, and used repulsive language to do so.
“He clearly had no regard to the lasting damage that his actions could cause.
“Behaviour like this poses a serious risk to children online – we will continue to pursue such offenders, and put them before the courts.”