A paedophile who tried to send sexual messages to a child has avoided going to prison.
Stephen Clarke, 47, of Ashlea Road in Chalfont St Peter, has been given a 16-week prison sentence suspended for two years after he admitted to a charge of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child.
On October 17, 2021, in Chalfont St Peter, Clarke attempted to send sexual messages to a child under the age of 16 via the Facebook Messenger platform.
At a hearing at Wycombe Magistrates' Court on August 17, Clarke pleaded guilty to the charge against him.
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After hearing the evidence, the justices decided not to send Clarke straight to prison as they felt he had "the ability to be rehabilitated."
As well as serving a suspended sentence, he was also made the subject of a two-year sexual harm prevention order.
The order prevents him from using any device capable of accessing the internet without first notifying the authorities.
Clarke was also made to pay £213 costs.
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