A man from Newport, South Wales, has been sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to five sexual offences and an animal cruelty charge.

Matthew Pritchard, 34, from Bettws, was arrested in January following an operation by the Online Investigations Team at the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU). This team works alongside a national network of undercover officers tackling offences online, including child sexual abuse and exploitation.

He was arrested by officers from SWROCU after travelling from Newport to Swindon to meet a girl aged under 13. Instead, he was met by officers and has been remanded in custody since. He was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court yesterday (13 May).

Pritchard was sentenced to four years for arranging or facilitating commission of a child sex offence and was handed concurrent sentences for attempting to cause a child under 16 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity; attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming; attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to watch a sexual act; attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child; and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Detective Inspector David Wells who leads the team said: “Pritchard set out in January with the intention of meeting a young girl to sexually abuse. He clearly poses a high risk to children and both his sentence and indeterminate Sexual Harm Prevention Order reflect that.

“Law enforcement agencies are constantly across the internet working to identify anyone looking to abuse or exploit children. Pritchard’s arrest was part of this ongoing work.”

The NSPCC website has clear and extensive advice for parents and carers, children and young people, and professionals to keeping safe online.

If you have concerns about your own use of the internet or inappropriate thoughts or behaviour about children, or you are worried about how someone you know behaves, then contact the Lucy Faithfull Foundation.

Pritchard’s dog was taken to an animal shelter, has made a full recovery and has been happily rehomed.

Matthew Pritchard

The dog is now fit and well and has been rehomed