Former Soldier Shared Child Rape Images with Fellow Paedophile
A former soldier named Roy Dykes has been found guilty of sharing images of child sexual abuse with another paedophile. He engaged in sexually explicit conversations with what he believed was a schoolgirl, even sending her a video of him performing a sex act. The judge at Swansea Crown Court condemned Dykes by stating that the market for indecent images of children is fueled by individuals like him with “unhealthy, degenerate, and lustful demands.” Despite serving in the Army for 28 years, Dykes’s actions represent a significant fall from grace.
- Dykes shared child sexual abuse images and engaged in explicit conversations.
- He sent a video of himself performing a sex act to an undercover police officer posing as a child.
- During May and June, he tried to arrange a meeting with the decoy.
- His devices contained over 400 indecent images, including Category A images depicting severe child sexual abuse.
- He pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communications, making indecent images, and other charges.
- Despite his remorse and seeking help, Dykes was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years.
Dykes, who previously served in the Army and reached the rank of warrant officer before leaving in 2020, admitted to attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and possessing extreme pornography. His lawyer mentioned that Dykes sought companionship online and not children, but the situation escalated, leading to his inappropriate behavior. Recognizing the severity of his actions, Dykes voluntarily sought help from the Lucy Faithful Foundation. The judge highlighted that the children in the images Dykes shared were real victims of sexual abuse and stressed the impact of individuals like him on the market for such images.
- The judge acknowledged Dykes’s service but condemned his actions as a significant betrayal.
- Dykes received a suspended prison sentence, rehabilitation courses, and community service.
- He was also mandated to register as a sex offender for ten years and given a sexual harm prevention order.
While the court considered Dykes’s potential for rehabilitation, he was warned that any future offenses would not be met with such leniency. The case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in child sexual abuse activities online. The sentence imposed on Dykes reflects the gravity of his actions and the need to protect vulnerable children from such exploitation.