Leighton Camara, aged 38, of St Francis Close, Prestatyn, has avoided an immediate custodial sentence at Mold Crown Court after attempting to arrange a sexual meeting with an undercover operative posing as a 14-year-old child, whilst working as a manager for an NSPCC helpline.
The court heard that on 15 November 2023, an undercover law-enforcement decoy was deployed on Grindr under the profile name “Sam”, presenting as a 14-year-old boy.
Camara initiated contact with the profile and requested to transition the chat to Snapchat.
Prosecuting barrister Mark Connor outlined that Camara was explicitly informed during the exchange that “Sam” was 14 years of age.
Despite being put on clear notice regarding the child’s age, Camara escalated the communications into sexually explicit content.
He requested pictures, referred to the boy as a “hot lad”, and discussed specific sexual acts he intended to carry out if they met in person.
Camara arranged an in-person meeting with the supposed teenager at 8.30pm on Ffordd Derwen in Rhyl.
When Camara arrived at the car park expecting to meet the child, North Wales Police officers intercepted his vehicle and placed him under arrest.
During police questioning, Camara maintained that he believed the individual in the photographs appeared between 16 and 18 years old, claiming he only intended to “say hello”.
The court was informed of Camara’s employment and voluntary background: at the time of the offences, he served as a manager for an NSPCC helpline and disclosed to officers that he was an active volunteer at a local youth group.
The court was also told that the misuse of alcohol and cocaine were concerning elements surrounding the case, though no separate penalty was imposed for Class A drug possession.
Camara entered a guilty plea to arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence.
His Honour Judge Simon Mills remarked that Camara had come “incredibly close” to being sent directly to prison, but concluded that a custodial term could be suspended in the community.
Judge Mills imposed a 15-month prison sentence, suspended for an operational period of two years.
In addition to the suspended term, the court ordered Camara to:
- Comply with the notification requirements of the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years
- Abide by a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO)
- Wear an electronic alcohol abstinence monitoring tag for 120 days
- Complete the accredited Building Better Choices programme
- Undertake up to 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days
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