A Swindon man has been given a custodial sentence after pleading guilty to a series of child sexual offences carried out online. The case was heard at Swindon Crown Court, where the defendant admitted multiple counts relating to attempts to groom boys aged 13 to 15.
Charges and sentence
Paul Webb, aged 28, formerly of Avonmead, Hayden Wick, pleaded guilty to four counts of attempting to cause or incite a male aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, and two counts of attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to look at an image of sexual activity. The court imposed a custodial term of four years.
Post-release conditions
On release, Webb will be required to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely and will be subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). Those measures place long-term restrictions and monitoring on his behaviour and movements once he leaves custody.
Investigation and police response
The offending was uncovered by the Wiltshire Police unit previously known as the Child Internet Exploitation Team, now operating as the Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT). Officers established that Webb had been posing online as a 15-year-old girl and repeatedly sought to draw teenage boys into sexual conversations.
“Webb is undoubtedly a dangerous individual whose behaviour poses a real risk to children,”
Detective Constable Sadie McCoy of POLIT emphasised the risk such behaviour represents and welcomed the custodial outcome. She said the SHPO will include a number of conditions for when Webb is released, and stressed the team's ongoing work to disrupt offenders who target children online.
- Offender: Paul Webb, 28 (formerly Avonmead, Hayden Wick)
- Sentence: 4 years in custody
- Future restrictions: Indefinite registration; 10-year SHPO
Local safeguarding context
The conviction underlines continued concerns about online sexual exploitation of children. Local policing units have repeatedly highlighted the evolving methods offenders use to target young people, and the case reinforces the need for vigilance by parents, schools and community organisations. Wiltshire Police’s specialist team remains focused on identifying and prosecuting those who seek to exploit minors through digital platforms.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age of offender | 28 |
| Counts pleaded | 4 (attempting to cause/incite sexual activity); 2 (attempting to cause a child to look at sexual image) |
| Court | Swindon Crown Court |
Anyone with concerns about the welfare of a child or information about online grooming can contact Wiltshire Police or local safeguarding services. Reporting suspicious behaviour promptly helps investigators protect young people and bring offenders to justice.
