July 2023

Man sentenced for child sex offences

A man has been sentenced after being convicted of attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act.

Gary Edge, 46, of Swaledale Road, Warminster, was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, at a hearing at Salisbury Crown Court

He must also comply with a six-month alcohol treatment requirement, a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and pay a victim surcharge of £156.

Edge will also be on the Sex Offender’s Register for 10 years and a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.

Wiltshire Police received information that between March and May last year, Edge had been conversing with what he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.

The girl – an adult decoy posing as a teenager – had informed Edge that she was only 14, but he continued trying to engage her in a sexual conversation.

Edge was arrested in June 2022 and was subsequently charged with the offences.