A MAN from Gwynedd who sent sexual images to a female child has been spared jail.

Sion Morris, 21, of Llanberis, was today (August 23) sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for a year-and-a-half, at Caernarfon Crown Court (sitting at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court).

He had previously pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual communication with a child.

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Prosecuting, Elen Owen told that Morris and the girl initially started having online conversations in November 2022, but that, at first, they were not of a sexual nature.

In January 2023, though, Morris sent messages to the girl saying that she “looked sexy” and asking her how old she was, as well as images of his genitalia.

This left the girl, who had by then told Morris her age, “very upset”, and she deleted him from her Snapchat account afterwards.

Morris sent her further messages in May 2023, though, including another of his genitalia, and one asking if she would like to come to his house for sex.

He was arrested after the girl made disclosures to police about the messages.

In a statement, dated March 2024, the girl wrote: “I kept this to myself before I had the courage to speak out about it.

“I felt ashamed, and feared being judged by others, or not being believed at all. This caused me to bottle everything up, which led to my mental health deteriorating.

“I want him to understand what the impact of his actions have caused me.”

Defending Morris, who had no previous convictions or cautions, Ember-Jade Wong said he has shown remorse, and has not re-offended since these matters came to light.

Ms Wong said Morris, who has mental health issues, is “very keen to make whatever steps that can be required of him”.

Sentencing, Judge Niclas Parry told Morris: “What a nightmare.

“The impact of such a traumatic experience upon her has been significant.

“Of course she didn’t want to tell anyone about this. It was utterly embarrassing, as well as being traumatic. But fortunately, for the future protection of others, she did tell.

“There is no doubt that the public are going to be better served by that order being suspended, and by your liberty being restricted in a quite different way.”

Judge Parry issued an indefinite restraining order to prevent Morris from contacting the girl – this, he said, is “the least she deserves”.

Morris will also complete a 45-session accredited programme, 45 sessions of rehabilitation activity requirements, and a 12-month mental health treatment requirement.

A two-year sexual harm prevention order was also issued to Morris, who will pay a statutory surcharge.

“There’s a lot of work to be done,” Judge Parry told him.