In 2026, the Offender Database reported that Rhys Jones, then 27, of Bridgwater, Somerset, was sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment. On Friday, 16 January 2026, Jones was jailed at Taunton Crown Court after he “persistently” defied court orders to engage in “reprehensible” online activity targeting a young girl.
The investigation established that Jones, a registered sex offender with a history of 13 previous offences, committed a series of serious safeguarding breaches. He used aliases and hidden accounts on Snapchat, TikTok, and Gmail to facilitate his “abhorrent” conduct. The court heard he specifically targeted a girl under the age of 16 for his own sexual gratification, leading to the creation of four indecent images of children.
Systematic Breaches and Digital Deception
Avon and Somerset Police discovered that Jones had “calculatingly” bypassed his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by using the file-sharing platform Dropbox and installing unauthorised apps on mobile phones. He pleaded guilty to six counts of failing to notify police of his digital aliases, a “critical” requirement of the Sex Offenders Register (SOR) designed to prevent further predatory behaviour.
The prosecution emphasised that Jones showed a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of children. By failing to report his usernames and email addresses, he attempted to create a “shadow” online presence to groom his victim. His “sinister” use of technology triggered an immediate police intervention to protect the young girl involved.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in Bridgwater, Somerset, Rhys Jones was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: Three years in immediate custody.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were maintained (typically for life for repeat offenders).
- SHPO: The Sexual Harm Prevention Order was extended to remain in place indefinitely.
- Restraining Order: A strict order prohibiting any contact with the victim, in place until 2036.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Jones is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Avon and Somerset Police. His history of “persistent” digital offending and his direct contact with a minor mean his status remains under “critical” scrutiny.
As a lifetime member of the Sex Offenders Register, Jones must comply with strict notification requirements regarding his address in Bridgwater, Somerset. Authorities state that his indefinite SHPO and the 10-year restraining order are essential tools to curb his predatory reach. Any further breach of these conditions or any attempt to contact the victim will result in his immediate return to Taunton Crown Court.
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