Rhyan Tranter

A drug-dealing paedophile from the Abergavenny area in Monmouthshire was ensnared in an online sting after persistently soliciting nude images from a supposed 12-year-old boy on the social media platform Kik. Rhyan Tranter, aged 31, initiated contact with the decoy profile, operated by an undercover police officer posing as 'Roman', a schoolboy from Cwmbran.

The exchanges began on Sunday, 16 May, though the year is not specified in court reports. Tranter introduced himself as a 30-year-old man, and upon learning the decoy's age of nearly 13, he inquired, 'Any nudes?' and continued to pester for pictures, as detailed by prosecutor Nigel Fryer at Newport Crown Court. Tranter escalated the interaction by sending a sexual image of himself to the decoy, demonstrating clear intent to engage in inappropriate communication with a minor.

Tranter admitted to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to cause a child under 13 to view an image of sexual activity, and attempting to incite a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity without penetration. These admissions formed the basis of the sexual offence charges against him.

During the police raid on his home in August to seize electronic devices, officers discovered 54.1 grams of cannabis, leading to additional charges. Tranter confessed to officers that he had been supplying the drug to known individuals for the past two years, selling it at £10 per gram. He pleaded guilty to supplying cannabis and possession with intent to supply the Class B drug.

In mitigation, Peter Donnison noted that Tranter had already served the equivalent of a three-month prison sentence while remanded in custody post-arrest. Sentenced by Recorder Mark Powell QC, Tranter received a 20-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years. He was mandated to complete a sex offender programme and a 40-day rehabilitation activity order, register as a sex offender for five years, and remain subject to a sexual harm prevention order until 2026. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £240 in prosecution costs and a £149 surcharge.

The case was heard at Newport Crown Court, with involvement from Gwent Police, as indicated by the regional context in South Wales. This incident highlights the effectiveness of undercover operations in combating online child sexual exploitation.