Online sex offender from Nottingham jailed
The 70-year-old thought he was speaking to a 13-year-old girl
An online sex offender from Nottingham has been jailed for sending indecent images to someone he believed was 13-years-old.
Giampiero Franchi was actually speaking to an undercover police officer in a chat room when he engaged them in sexual communications on 9 July 2024.
Police said the 70-year-old had sent 18 of the most serious Category A images, depicting the most severe abuse.
There was also evidence Franchi had previously incited young children to engage in sexual activity online.
Giampiero Franchi, of Kingswood Road, told officers he 'needed help' in an interview.
He pleaded guilty to inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, three counts of making indecent images of children, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and possessing an extreme pornographic image.
The 70-year-old was jailed last Thursday (14th August) for five years. He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must sign on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.
Police Constable Summer Smith, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“Franchi thought he was talking to a young girl but was actually in conversation with a police officer.
“When the case was taken on by our detectives we uncovered the extent of his offending.
“Behind the disgusting images on his devices are real children who have been subjected to degrading abuse.
“Protecting children is of paramount importance to the force and we have teams of officers working on cases like this to protect victims and bring offenders to justice.
“I hope this case also serves as a warning to other parents about the danger people like Franchi can pose to their children via the internet.”