Elmswell man sentenced for online sex offence

A 50-year-old man has been sentenced for an online sexual offence.

Matthew Coombs, from Wetherden Road, in Elmswell, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday,  May 15.

The 50-year-old pleaded guilty at a hearing on December 16 to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He admitted attempted sexual communication with a child and was given a two-year community order, a 35-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 150 hours unpaid work.

He was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for five years and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for the same period.

The court heard that between February 10, 2020, and February 20, 2020, Coombs engaged in online sexual communication with a profile of a 14-year-old boy. He also sent an explicit image.

Following his arrest on February 20, 2020, a number of devices were seized.

PC Luke Swain of Suffolk Constabulary’s West CID team said: “Matthew Coombs knowingly engaged in sexual communications with someone he thought was a 14-year-old child.

“Police, alongside other organisations, actively work to locate and prosecute those responsible for such deplorable activities.

“We take allegations of online predatory behaviour extremely seriously and work to safeguard victims as quickly as possible. We will do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice.”

The Suffolk police website contains useful guidance and information for parents, guardians, professionals and children to ensure all children are safeguarded from harm.

https://www.suffolk.police.uk/advice/child-protection

If you are worried or concerned about your thoughts or behaviour towards children you can contact the Lucy Faithfull Foundation for anonymous support via the Stop It Now! helpline on 0808 1000 900 https://www.stopitnow.org.uk/