A depraved man, Mark Appleby Rockfield Paedophile, with a sexual attraction towards children sent explicit photographs to someone whom they assumed to be a 13-year-old girl, expressing their want to meet in person. Indeed, he was conversing with an undercover police officer.
Mark Appleby, a 53-year-old resident of Monmouth, initiated communication with a user profile named “Maisie” on the Kik messaging platform in November 2022. The decoy informed the defendant of her age, stating that she was 13. However, he persisted in conversing with her.
During the sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday, it was revealed that Mark Appleby had transmitted sexually graphic photos to Maisie and expressed his desire to engage in oral sex with her. According to Prosecutor Paul Hewitt, the decoy informed the defendant that she resided in Southampton and expressed his intention to visit her to observe her football game and engage in shopping activities.
He proceeded to enquire about Maisie’s intimate areas and expressed a desire to spend the night with her in a hotel. The defendant informed her of his intention to bring a sexual device and engaged in a telephone conversation with her, during which an undercover cop assumed the role of a 13-year-old.
Several meetings were scheduled for Mark Appleby and Maisie; however, in January of this year, the police visited the defendant’s residence and discovered the mobile phone used to communicate with the decoy. He informed the police that he had been participating in a “fantasy” and that he did not feel any sexual attraction towards minors.
Mark Appleby, residing at Cornwallis Way, Rockfield, entered a plea of not guilty to the charges of communicating sexually with a minor, encouraging a minor to view sexual activity, and attempting to enable or commit a sexual offence involving a minor. In June, he was convicted by a jury after a trial. The court was informed that he had a clean criminal record.
Nigel Fryer argued that his client’s relationship with his adult children had been strained due to the charges committed. However, he still receives support from his mother and sister. Mr Fryer stated that the individual’s life would undergo a significant and fundamental change following the revelation of their wrongdoings, resulting in the loss of their reputation.
During the sentencing, Judge Daniel Williams explicitly stated that in a phone call, you clearly expressed your intention to meet with her and participate in sexual conduct. There was extensive planning and a notable age difference.
Mark Appleby received a sentence of three years and six months of incarceration. He was indefinitely subjected to sex offender notification requirements and received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for eight years.
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