Top judges rule pervert deserved ‘severe’ sentence

A PERVERT caught by a “paedophile hunting group” trying to meet an underage girl deserved his “severe” prison term, top judges have ruled.

Wayne Robert Price, 36, was jailed for three years and four months at Cardiff Crown Court in March.

The former Barry resident admitted attempting to entice a child to engage in sexual activity, Lord Justice Flaux told London’s Appeal Court yesterday.

He also admitted trying to meet her following sexual grooming and attempting to cause her to watch a sex act.

Price was in contact with a fictional 14-year-old girl, whose online profile had been set up by a “paedophile hunting group”.

Using the online name “Horny Wanna F***”, he sent the girl pictures of his private parts and a video of him pleasuring himself.

He suggested they meet up in Barry and “play with each other” and then made a second attempt to meet her at Cadoxton station, near Barry.

On that occasion, he was detained by the paedophile hunters, said the judge.

When his mobile phone was analysed, it revealed he was in contact with two other girls.

Price admitted attempted sexual with a child those girls, two counts of communication in relation to although it was not known whether they existed or not.

He had previous convictions for seven crimes, including burglary, but had expressed “remorse”, the court heard.

Lawyers for Price argued that his jail term was far too harsh and should be reduced.

His crimes had all been attempts and no girl was actually “put at risk”, they said.

But Lord Justice Flaux ruled: “Although the girl in question was fictional, this was a serious and significant attempt to groom an underage girl.

“The overall sentence of three years four months was severe but cannot be described as manifestly excessive.”

The appeal was dismissed.