'Dangerous predator' who targeted Surrey teen jailed
Last updated 22nd Aug 2023
A man who sent sexualised messages to a teenage girl in Surrey has been sentenced to three years in prison.
42 year old Stephen Powell of no fixed address pleaded guilty to seven counts of child sex offences at Guildford Crown Court.
In April 2020 Powell was reported to police for grooming a teenage girl online and he was arrested.
A search of his electronic devices showed that he was sending sexualised messages via Facebook Messenger to a teenage girl who lived in Surrey.
In the messages Powell encouraged the girl to send sexualised images of herself.
He later pleaded guilty to seven counts of child sex offences including two counts of making an indecent photograph of a child, two counts of distributing an indecent photograph of a child and engaging in sexual communication with a child.
Detective Ed Davies, who investigated the case, said:
“I hope that this case shows that sex offenders who target children online can expect a knock on the door from officers at any time, and that they will be held to account for their abhorrent behaviour.
“We are relentless in our pursuit for offenders and work around the clock to safeguard children from predators like Powell.
“If there is anyone reading this who has been a victim of online child sex abuse, I would encourage you to speak to us. We will do everything we can to support you.”
Powell was also sentenced to a further two months in prison for two counts of burglary and two counts of fraud.
As well as the prison sentence he was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.