Oswestry pervert is locked up for child sex offences
A man has been locked up for two years and four months after admitting sexual activity with a child.
Joseph Eccles, aged 22, pleaded guilty to engaging in an act with a girl between the ages of 13 and 15-years-old, taking an indecent photograph of a child, making indecent photographs of a child and inciting an underage girl into sexual activity, on August 15.
At a hearing in Shrewsbury Crown Court, Judge Peter Barrie said the defendant had groomed his victim and pressured her into engaging into sexual activity over Skype.
Eccles, of Unicorn Road, Oswestry, was 19-years-old when the offences took place.
Mr Simon Hunka, prosecuting, told the court there were three Skype conversations in which he pressured the girl into sexual activity, he said.
He also said Eccles’ mobile and other technology was examined after his arrest which found a category B movie, category B images and 313 category C pictures.
Ms Jodie Smith, defending, said as a 19-year-old, Eccles was struggling academically and with his mental health.
“The defendant is now a 22 and in full time employment,” she said. “He is remorseful and very honest and open when he considers this offence now. But at the time, he didn’t consider it to be wrong.
“He can be seen as vulnerable himself. He is extremely sorry.”
Judge Barrie told Eccles the four year age gap was considerable and that he should have felt some responsibility towards his victim.
