Mansfield man sentenced for attempted telephone sex-acts with ‘14-year-old’ girl

Anthony Chell, 50, made contact with her via a social media app in October 2019.

Believing her to be a 14-year-old girl living in Skegness, Chell later held a conversation with her during which he performed a sex act.

Unbeknown to him the girl was actually an adult acting on behalf of an on-line activist group. As a result a recording was made of the incident and later passed to the police.

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He was arrested on 20 October 2019 after group members confronted him at his home address and police were called.

Chell, of Moor Street, Mansfield, later admitted the offence to Nottinghamshire Police.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court today (Thursday August 27) he was sentenced to a 30 month community order for attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child.

He was also ordered to attend a sexual offending group work programme for up to 90 days, along with a rehabilitation order requirement of 20 days.

Chell was also given a 30 month Community Order (to run concurrently) for attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. He was also place on the Sexual Offences Register for five years and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for another five years.

Inspector Jamie Hill, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a serious offence committed by a man who believed he was speaking to a child. Thankfully that was not the case and no young people were harmed as a result of his actions.

“But Chell knew perfectly well that what he thought he was doing was not only wrong, but also a crime. I am pleased that he has now accepted responsibility for that and has been punished accordingly.

“However, I must also make clear that, although we have a responsibility to fully examine any evidence presented to us, we do not endorse the actions of independent groups who engage in this activity. Whilst we will always respond to organisations like this, they can also disrupt on-going investigations.”

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