A Wiltshire man has been sentenced for attempted sexual offences with a child after he attempted to message someone who he believed to be 14. 

Simon Gale, 54, of Gastard, appeared at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, September 13 after admitting attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

Between December 2021 and September 2022, Gale messaged an online decoy who he believed was a 14-year-old child and tried to initiate a sexual conversation.

He was arrested and charged after being reported to the police.

Gale was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment, suspended for two years and he is required to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, 30 days of rehabilitation activity and pay a surcharge of £156.

He will also be on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: “If you are concerned about your own use of the internet or inappropriate thoughts or behaviour about children, please seek help from support agencies such as the Lucy Faithfull Foundation.

“If you suspect a person of carrying out child sexual exploitation, or think someone you know has been a victim, or may be soon, visit our How to Report child abuse page or call our non-emergency number 101.”