A Carlisle man who offered money to who he thought was a 14-year-old boy as he sought to engage in sexual acts has been given a three-year prison sentence.
Christopher Tennant, 38, falsely claimed he was only 21 during online chat with what turned out to be a police decoy.
As the conversation turned sexual — and despite repeatedly being told the boy was aged only 14, Tennant sent images of himself — and video footage of other men — engaged in sexual acts having stated: “You don’t need to be nervous.”
Tennant also repeatedly encouraged the teenager to send him images, suggested paying £100 to engage in sexual activity and also made arrangements for the pair to meet.
It was while attending a planned rendezvous that Tennant was approached by a police officer and arrested. Carlisle Crown Court heard that, as he made full additions for his criminal intentions, he stated: “There is just something wrong with my head that I can do that. I know it’s wrong. I’m just so sorry.”
Tennant spoke of his head being messed up for years as a result of childhood trauma.
A man with no previous convictions, he admitted three offences committed in mid-October this year.
These were attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity; attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child; and attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act.
Marion Weir, mitigating for Tennant, of Gosling Drive, Carlisle, said he had taken steps since his arrest to deal with childhood issues which, she told the court, may take years of unpicking. “Thankfully no child was harmed in relation to this matter,” said Ms Weir.
Judge Michael Fanning accepted the other person was a decoy but, sending Tennant to prison, told him: “There is too much of this sort of offending. There are too many real victims.” The judge added: “You intended to harm a child.”
