15-year jail sentence for sex offender caught by undercover police officer

A sex offender was exposed by an undercover police officer after sending explicit messages to a young girl.

Neil Wilson sent the officer sexually explicit messages after they met on an online chatroom.

Despite being told that she was 13, he went on to request explicit photos of her too.

Nottinghamshire Police were alerted to the 46-year-old’s behaviour and arrested him at his home address on 14 December 2023.

His devices were then examined, and explicit messages sent to an actual young girl were exposed.

Indecent images of children were also uncovered.

This included 25 ‘Category A’ images - the most severe classification of indecent images of children.

Six images classed as ‘Category B’ and 80 labelled as ‘Category C’ were also found.

Wilson, formally of Osmaston Walk, Mansfield, went on to plead guilty to inciting a female child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and possession of extreme pornographic images.

He also pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photos of a child.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday (8 May), he was jailed for a total of 15 years – an eight-year jail sentence with an added seven-year extended license.

Wilson was also made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and was placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Detective Constable Oliver Pemberton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Wilson’s actions were completely disgraceful, and it was thanks to the fantastic work of officers that he was exposed.

“Keeping children safe from harm means keeping them safe from people like Wilson who attempt to prey on them online where they think nobody can see what they are doing.

“I’d like to take this time to praise the strength of the victim throughout the investigation and lengthy court process.

"I hope this result helps give the victim and their family some closure and also serves as a warning to others about the consequences of such depraved behaviour.”