Woolhampton man given suspended sentence after sending pornographic image of himself to a child, and possessing image of a sex act with a dog

A Woolhampton man has been given a suspended sentence for child sex offences.

Joshua Redding pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child and one count each of attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity.

On May 29, he also admitted engaging in sexual communication with a child, possessing an extreme pornographic image or images portraying an act of intercourse/oral sex with a dead or alive animal, possession of an extreme pornographic image/images portraying an act likely to result in serious injury to person’s private parts and possession of a prohibited image of a child.

At Reading Crown Court today (Friday), the 24-year-old of Bath Road, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work, pay a £150 victim cost, and have a mobile phone and computer seized and destroyed.

The Bath Road resident was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, lasting 10 years.

The court heard that on Thursday, November 12, 2020, Redding was found in possession of two prohibited images of children.

On Friday, June 4, 2021, Redding made indecent images of children; nine category A images – the worst kind – as well as four category B images and two category C images.

On the same day, he was caught with a pornographic image of a person performing a sexual act with a dog.

He was also found to be in possession of an extreme pornographic image which portrayed an act which resulted, or was likely to result, in serious injury to a person’s private parts.

The court also heard that between Wednesday, June 1, 2022, and Monday, June 27, 2022, Redding communicated with a child who he did not reasonably believe to be over 16, leading to him sharing an indecent image of himself on Monday, June 27.

Det Con Claire Midwinter, based at Newbury Police Station, said: “I am pleased that Redding pleaded guilty to the offences and that he has been sentenced as a result.

“Our fight against child sexual abuse will never stop; I hope this conviction highlights not only our commitment to tackling these crimes but also to protect all children and tracking down anyone who seeks to harm them.”

“We will always listen to victims and fully investigate so offenders are put before the courts.”