
If you have been accused of sexual communication with a child, you are probably feeling anxious about what might happen next. You may be worried about whether you could go to prison, what a suspended sentence means, and what you can do to improve your chances of a better outcome. This article is designed to help you understand the offence of sexual communication with a child, what sentences are possible, how suspended sentences work, and what steps you can take to protect yourself.
Sexual communication with a child is a criminal offence under Section 15A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. This law was introduced by the Serious Crime Act 2015 to address online grooming and inappropriate digital contact with minors. The offence occurs when an adult aged 18 or over intentionally communicates with a child under 16 in a sexual manner for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification.
The communication can take many forms, including text messages, social media posts, emails, video calls, or any other digital platform. Examples might include sending explicit messages describing sexual acts, requesting intimate photographs from a child, or engaging in sexually explicit conversations online. The law also covers sending sexual images or videos to a child, even if the child does not respond or engage.
The offence is complete once the sexual communication is sent, regardless of whether the child responds or any meeting takes place. The prosecution must prove that you intended the communication to be sexual and that you did so for sexual gratification. However, ordinary social interactions or legitimate educational communications would not fall under this offence. The key distinction is the sexual nature and intent behind the communication.
The maximum sentence for sexual communication with a child is two years’ imprisonment. This offence can be tried in either the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court, depending on the severity of the case and other circumstances. The court has the power to impose a range of sentences based on the specific facts of your case.
Sentences can vary from community orders, such as unpaid work or supervision requirements, to custody for more serious cases. The court will consider factors such as the content and frequency of the communications, whether images were involved, the age of the child, and your previous criminal record. Not every case results in immediate imprisonment, particularly for first-time offenders or where the communications were limited in nature.
The court may also consider factors such as whether you attempted to meet the child, the duration of the communications, and any evidence of grooming behaviour. Cases involving very young children or particularly explicit content are more likely to result in custodial sentences, while isolated incidents with less serious content may be dealt with through community penalties.
A suspended sentence is a prison term that does not take immediate effect. Instead of going to prison straight away, the court suspends the sentence for a specified period, typically between six months and two years. During this suspension period, you must comply with certain conditions and stay out of trouble. If you successfully complete the suspension period without breaching any conditions, you will not serve the prison sentence.
However, if you commit another offence or fail to comply with the conditions during the suspension period, the court can activate the suspended sentence, meaning you would then serve the original prison term in addition to any sentence for the new offence. The court can attach various requirements to a suspended sentence, such as unpaid work, rehabilitation programmes, curfew orders, or supervision by the probation service.
Yes, it is possible for sexual communication with a child to result in a suspended sentence, but this depends on the specific circumstances of your case. The court will carefully consider whether a suspended sentence is appropriate by weighing the seriousness of your offence against any mitigating factors in your favour.
Factors that might favour a suspended sentence include having no previous convictions, showing genuine remorse, the communications being limited in nature or frequency, no attempt to meet the child in person, and demonstration of steps taken to address any underlying issues. If you have stable employment, family responsibilities, or health problems that would make immediate custody particularly difficult, these may also support a suspended sentence.
Conversely, factors that make a suspended sentence less likely include extensive or persistent communications, sending explicit images, attempting to arrange meetings, targeting very young children, or having relevant previous convictions. The court will also consider whether you pose an ongoing risk to children and whether immediate custody is necessary to protect the public.
When deciding whether to suspend a sentence for sexual communication with a child, courts consider numerous factors that help determine both the seriousness of the offence and your personal circumstances.
Not every case of sexual communication with a child results in immediate imprisonment. The court will only impose immediate custody if it concludes that the offence is so serious that no other sentence would be adequate punishment or sufficiently protect the public.
Immediate prison sentences are more likely when the communications involved explicit sexual content, sharing of indecent images, persistent contact over extended periods, or attempts to arrange meetings with the child. Cases where the defendant has specifically sought out vulnerable children or used sophisticated methods to avoid detection also tend to result in custody.
The court considers whether you pose an ongoing risk to children. If there is evidence of predatory behaviour, lack of insight into the harm caused, or indicators that you might continue to offend, immediate custody becomes more likely. Previous convictions for similar offences or failures to comply with court orders will also increase the likelihood of imprisonment.
If you are facing charges for sexual communication with a child, there are several steps you can take that may improve your chances of receiving a suspended sentence rather than immediate custody.
If you are facing charges for sexual communication with a child, get specialist legal advice without delay. At Stuart Miller Solicitors, we have extensive experience defending clients accused of sexual offences and understand the serious implications these charges can have for your life and reputation. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case and options.
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