A convicted Durham paedophile, Philip Woods, apprehended while communicating with individuals he believed to be two 13-year-old girls, has been sentenced to two years and ten months in prison.
Philip Woods, 55, was conversing with two decoy accounts operated by the same online paedophile investigator, as presented in Teesside Crown Court.
Philip Woods utilised an unregistered phone, violating a sexual harm prevention order established in 2019 following his conviction for producing indecent photographs of children.
Philip Woods acknowledged violating the injunction and attempted to initiate sexual conversations with a youngster.
On 7 October, Philip Woods communicated with what he believed to be a 13-year-old girl using Chat Avenue, expressing his desire to be her lover and sharing a link that he asserted had a video of a “older man engaging in sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old,” stated prosecutor Reece Williams.
The subsequent day, Philip Woods communicated with another account, believing it belonged to a 13-year-old girl, and once more sexualised the conversation.
The same internet safety organisation managed both accounts and reported him to the police, as stated in court.
Judge Bennett stated that, notwithstanding prior apprehensions, it was evident that Philip Woods’ “sexual interest in children persisted” and he represented a “significant risk”.
Philip Woods, residing on Helmsley Road in Durham, was additionally subjected to a sexual harm prevention order restricting his access to internet-enabled devices indefinitely.
Philip Woods is required to register as a sex offender for a duration of 10 years.
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