Sex offender snared by undercover officer

A registered sex offender who began sexual chats with what he believed was a 14-year-old boy on social media has been jailed.

Aaron Batchelor, 29, of Wootton Avenue, Fletton, Peterborough, sent messages to the boy, who was actually an undercover police officer, on Snapchat and WhatsApp between 5 June and 3 July this year.

He was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday (December 20), having admitted attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and three counts of breaching, and two attempted breaches, of a sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Sergeant Rob Hutchings said: “Using Snapchat and WhatsApp, Batchelor had private conversations with the officer and began sending images of himself and expressed a desire to meet in person what he believed was a 14-year-old boy.

“We will continue to do everything in our power to protect children from predators and bring them to justice. I would urge parents to speak to their children about online safety regularly. It is particularly important at this time of year when youngsters may be spending longer on their devices.”

More information is available on the website about child abuse and online grooming. Visit the dedicated web page here.

Anyone who is concerned someone may have been convicted of a sex offence, and could be posing a risk to a child, can apply for disclosure information through Sarah’s Law