Jack Barrett, from Swansea, was sentenced to an extended ten‑year prison term after pleading guilty to multiple charges involving a child aged between 13 and 15. Police say Barrett began chatting with the victim online before encouraging them to carry out sexual acts. The victim lives outside the South Wales Police area and never met Barrett in person.
Barrett admitted two counts of causing or inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, one count of causing a child to watch sexual activity, one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child, and one count of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Detectives said the investigation, carried out jointly with another police force, uncovered the full scale of Barrett’s offending.
Detective Constable Gemma McLean said:
“Jack Barrett used online communication platforms to take advantage of a child, knowing that they were underage. He did this knowing what he was doing was wrong.”
“This investigation, conducted alongside another police force, uncovered the scale of Barrett’s offending, and the significant sentence that has been handed down today shows just how depraved his actions have been.”
“He is fully deserving of a lengthy spell in prison. This sentence should be seen as an emphatic deterrent, and we encourage anyone who is a victim of online sexual abuse to come forward and help us bring the perpetrators to justice.”
South Wales Police said they recognise how difficult it can be for survivors of sexual abuse to speak out, but stressed that victims will be listened to, treated with dignity and supported throughout the judicial process.
Anyone affected by sexual abuse who is not yet ready to report to police is encouraged to seek support from specialist services.
