A man caught in a police sting as he engaged in drunken sexual chat online during the first COVID lockdown with who he thought was a 13-year-old girl has been spared an immediate prison sentence.
Dwane Dixon, now aged 50, initially contacted the child over the course of a month in 2020 after they joined a chat group — but learned when he was arrested his criminal communication had been with an undercover officer.
After conversation switched to private dialogue, Dixon requested live pictures, repeatedly asked to meet and suggested he carry out a sexual act on her when they were together despite being told she was only 13. He also posted a video of him in the group chat which showed him naked and dancing.
During the illegal private exchanges, Dixon had expressed caution. “I have to be careful because you are very, very, very young,” he said in one message.
“I won’t tell anyone. I have got more to lose,” he said in another, later calling the girl my little secret. As he discussed a potential meeting, Dixon also said: “Yes, I want. As long as it is not a trap and you come by yourself.”
But Dixon had been caught in a sting and was arrested.
A man of previous good character, he admitted three offences. These were attempting to cause a child to look at an image of sexual activity; attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child; and attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence
Jeff Smith, mitigating, said Dixon had suggested he was drinking two to three litres of wine a day at the time of his offending. Having previously moved to Glenridding, Ullswater — with his partner in March, 2020 — he was unable to take up a job as planned, finding himself instead without work and direction, and nothing to do with his time in lockdown.
“The messages were nonsense, prompted and despatched while inebriated,” said Mr Smith. “Having got through 47 years, it is hard to understand why a man like Dwane Dixon, who was committed to the outdoors, behaved in the way that he did. He can’t provide a rational explanation.
His response is absolute disgust and a complete lack of comprehension of why he had done what he did.” Mr Smith added that Dixon maintained he acted without any form of sexual gratification or sexual intention”.
Recorder Peter Horgan considered a pre-sentence report compiled by a probation officer. “It suggests you are throughly ashamed and horrified, and you should be,” the judge told him.
Recorder Horgan concluded it was more important for the public that Dixon should continue work he had started to address his criminal conduct.
A 22-month jail term was suspended for two years.
Dixon, now of Graham Street, Penrith, must complete a four-month night time curfew and 25 days’ rehabilitation work. He must also sign the sex offenders’ register, and comply with the strict terms of a prevention order, both for 10 years.
