A 22-year-old man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a child and making indecent images of children.
Owen Addleton of Chester Road West, Shotton previously admitted three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child and four counts of making indecent images of a child.
At Mold Crown Court yesterday, Monday 1 December, he was jailed for three and a half years.
North Wales Police launched an investigation into Addleton in March 2024 after receiving a report from a school that a pupil had disclosed she was in a relationship with him, having found out his age.
It later emerged that Addleton was in a sexual relationship with the child and had told her he was 16 years old.
The pair had met on Snapchat after Addleton added the victim, where he asked for nude images.
Following his arrest, digital investigations revealed over 100 indecent images of the most serious category on his devices, some of children as young as two.
Over 2000 files of a sexual interest of children were also found, along with a large collection of schoolgirls wearing their school uniform and an internet search questioning how to hide storage from police.
Despite bail conditions not to contact the victim, he continued to do so.
He was subsequently charged and remanded into custody.
Addleton was today made to register as a sex offender for life and subjected to a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely.
Two ten-year restraining orders were also put in place to protect the victims.
Investigating officer, Civilian Investigator Ann Parry said: “Owen Addleton had a clear interest in schoolgirls, using social media to target his victims.
“He was manipulative and took no responsibility for his offending as he continued to contact one of the victims in breach of his bail conditions, providing her with another phone after hers was taken away for examination, to ensure he could continue contact.
“This case highlights just how important it is for children and their parents to know exactly who they are speaking to online, and the dangers of social media.
“I commend the bravery of the victims and their families for having the courage to come forward to give their accounts.
“We will leave no stone unturned when investigating those who seek to do harm to vulnerable members of our society.”
