Richard Stevenson, 39, has been jailed for eight years after he was caught sharing his fantasies about sexually abusing very young children in an online forum. The Coventry man, of Waveley Road, was arrested as he sat in a van on 2 May this year.
Stevenson admitted attempting to arrange a child sex offence, as well as making and distributing indecent images of children. He was sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on Friday, 4 September.
Undercover police investigation
Stevenson began chatting with someone on an online forum about his detailed fantasies of sexually abusing very young children. He revealed how he wanted a ‘partner’ to take part in the abuse with, and sent them videos showing child sexual abuse. However, the person he was speaking to was actually a police officer.
The investigation was carried out by West Midlands Police’s Major Crime Unit (MCU). Enquiries led to Stevenson’s arrest in Coventry on 2 May this year.
Judge's sentence and additional measures
At Warwick Crown Court, Stevenson was jailed for eight years. He will spend a further two years on licence and was given a sexual harm prevention order lasting for 18 years. He will be on the sex offenders register for life.
DC John Marsh, from West Midlands Police MCU, said: “Stevenson’s offending is simply appalling. He was clearly determined to gain access to a child to commit sexual abuse. On multiple occasions, he outlined his horrific plans, and we're in no doubt that he would have seen those plans through had he had the opportunity.”
Police commitment to safeguarding
DC Marsh added: “We’re absolutely committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable people and will use all the techniques and resources we have to do that and target those who seek to do them harm.”
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “A paedophile from Coventry who was using the internet to try to arrange to meet and sexually abuse children has been jailed for eight years. Richard Stevenson, aged 39, is behind bars after an investigation by our Major Crime Unit (MCU).”
