PSNI detective welcomes 22-month sentence for man who tried to meet '14-year-old child' who was actually an undercover officer
A detective has welcomed the 22-month sentence imposed on a Belfast man for trying to meet up with what he thought was a 14-year-old child.
A 35-year-old Wilson Lee has been sentenced at Laganside Crown Court in Belfast for attempted sexual offences towards an undercover officer posing as an underage boy.
Wilson Lee was given 22-months in custody for attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and 18-months imprisonment for a number of other offences including, attempted sexual communication with a child, attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity and attempted possession of an indecent image.
Both sentences will be served concurrently – meaning the real sentence period will be 22 months.
He was also given a sexual offences prevention order and will remain on the sex offenders register for 10-years.
The PSNI said that Lee was arrested on May 29 last year “after police were made aware that he had been involved in communications online with an undercover police officer who had posed as a 14-year-old boy”.
He admitted the offences in July.
Now he has been sentenced, detective constable Allen, from the PSNI's Child Abuse Investigation Unit said: "We welcome today’s sentence and the fact that this offender is now behind bars.
“This case demonstrates how offenders can use online platforms to gain a child’s trust before quickly steering conversations to a sexual nature to satisfy their own sexual perversions.
“This behaviour is manipulative and predatory, and it will not be tolerated.
"Protecting children and young people from sexual exploitation remains a top priority for us and we will continue to robustly pursue those who seek to harm children online.
“We continue to urge parents and guardians to remain vigilant about their children’s online activity and to encourage open conversations about staying safe online.
“Anyone who believes a child may be at risk should report their concerns to police so we can take action.
“Let this serve as another warning to those perpetrating child sexual abuse in our communities, we are working every day to break down reporting barriers and encourage victims to come forward.
"You will be caught, your lies uncovered and you will face the full force of the law.”