Jack David Peter Jones

A 23-year-old man from Cynghordy in Llandovery, Jack David Peter Jones, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of online sexual offences against children. The case came to light when a mother reported to police that her 11-year-old daughter had received inappropriate videos from a stranger on Instagram. The girl, who was contacted when Jones was 19, felt uncomfortable and bravely spoke out, providing screenshots of the messages where Jones had falsely claimed to be 14 years old.

Following the report, Dyfed-Powys Police's Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT) executed a warrant at Jones's home and examined his phone. The investigation revealed that Jones had initiated contact with multiple young girls across South Wales and the Newcastle area, including one as young as nine. His approach typically began with seemingly innocent messages, such as a simple 'Hi' on Instagram, before building trust and escalating to requests for indecent photos and videos. He also sent sexual images and videos of himself to the victims.

The digital forensics uncovered communications with four initial potential victims, and further investigation identified two additional victims in the Lancashire and West Mercia areas. Officers contacted all six girls to gather evidence and ensure their safety. Jones continued his offending during the probe, attempting to engage more children online. With the cooperation of the victims, prosecutors built a robust case, leading Jones to admit guilt on 12 charges at court.

• Four counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• Two counts of making indecent images of a child
• Causing a child to watch a sexual act
• Sexual communication with a child
• Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child

The sentencing reflects the severity of the exploitation, with Jones's actions spanning platforms like Instagram and Snapchat to groom and solicit indecent material from vulnerable children. This case, reported by Dyfed-Powys Police on 9 May 2023, underscores the dangers of online interactions for young users.