June 2007

Internet pervert pretended to be girl of 15

A man who pretended to be a 15-year-old girl in order to chat about sexual fantasies on the Internet has been warned by a judge about his behaviour.

When police went to Steven Frost’s home, having traced him via the man he had been chatting to, he broke down and said he needed help.

Frost, 35, of Beaumont Street, Herne Bay, admitted seven charges of making indecent images when he appeared before Canterbury Crown Court. The charges involved 20 video and still images.

Frost was told by Judge Adele Williams that he faced becoming “a sadder and sadder pervert” unless he was rehabilitated.

“These images and the chat you engaged in are disgusting and right-minded members of society are revolted by this activity,” Judge Williams said.

Frost was given a six-month jail sentence suspended for two years and a 24-month supervision order. He was also ordered to attend a sex offenders’ programme.

Oliver Saxby, prosecuting, said Frost was caught when another man was arrested.

He had been pretending to be a 15-year-old girl called Amy on the Internet.

When police went to his home, he admitted creating the fake profile and accessing indecent images on the Internet.

John O’Higgins, defending, said Frost’s partner was supporting him.

Judge Williams told Frost: “I think there is a chance you may be able to rehabilitate yourself. But if you don’t, you will lose everything and become a sadder and sadder pervert.

“Don’t ever pretend to yourself there were not real children in real distress being really abused, because there were. And if it wasn’t for people like you who wanted to download these images, this evil business would not exist.”