A Watford man who thought he was sending explicit images of himself to a 13-year-old schoolgirl was actually communicating with a decoy police officer.
During their internet chat, Mark Stubbington told the “girl’ he was in his 30s and asked her what she was wearing under her school uniform.
Prosecutor Richard Whitcombe told St Albans Crown Court today/Mon Stubbington, who is now 52, was in contact with the decoy over a 6 day period in February 2022.
In that time he sent her moving images of himself performing a sexual act.
Stubbington appeared for sentence having admitted attempting to engage a child in sexual communication and attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to watch a sexual act.
Defending, Emily Lauchlan said the offences took place over 2 years ago at a time when Stubbington was extremely lonely. She said he had suffered abuse as a child and had acted completely out of character.
She said the coach mechanic had met a partner since his arrest and was “regretful and remorseful.”
Recorder Ed Butler told him that over 6 days his conduct was “as revolting as it was disgraceful.”
He went on: “You thought you were communicating with a 13 year old girl. She referred to her school and age.
“You repeatedly communicated with her and solicited images.
“What you were thinking I can’t begin to understand. It beggars belief that someone would communicate with a child in this way, but that is what you did.”
The judge passed a 21 month sentence suspended for 2 years. Stubbington must complete 30 rehabilitation days, a 12 month mental health treatment requirement and 150 hours’ unpaid work.
He must register as a sex offender and abide by the terms of a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.
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