David Fletcher

A 63-year-old man from Tetbury, Gloucestershire, has admitted to multiple counts of sexual communication with children and possessing indecent images, following investigations by Gloucestershire Police.

David Fletcher, of Conygar Road, Tetbury, appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to five charges of sexual communication with a child and three charges of making indecent images. Prosecutor Sue Gethin outlined that police received information about Fletcher engaging in sexual chats with a 12-year-old girl on social media. "It is clear that the girl explained to Fletcher numerous times that she was aged 12," Gethin stated. Fletcher, who disclosed his own age as 61 at the time, continued the conversations sexually over a two-month period from January 7, 2021, to March 13, 2021.

• During this time, he sent the 12-year-old pictures of his genitalia and videos of himself masturbating, while also sharing normal photos of himself in the Tetbury area.
• On November 12, 2020, Fletcher sent a picture of male genitalia to a 13-year-old girl.
• On April 17, 2021, he chatted with another 13-year-old about sexual acts and sent a similar image.
• On April 21, 2021, he communicated with a 10-year-old, expressing a desire to engage in sexual activity with a 10-year-old and an 11-year-old simultaneously.
• Also on April 21, 2021, he had sexual communications with a 15-year-old and sent her a picture of male genitalia.

In addition to the communication charges, Fletcher admitted to making indecent images of children between December 31, 2019, and April 17, 2021. This included 310 Category A images, 177 Category B images, and 46 Category C images.

Defending solicitor Holly Burton requested a pre-sentence report. The case was committed to Gloucester Crown Court for sentencing on January 27. Fletcher was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register and released on unconditional bail pending the hearing. The offences occurred in Tetbury, under the jurisdiction of Gloucestershire Police.