A dad-of-six must sign the sex offenders register after telling a child she was “fit”.
Carl Kavanagh, 37, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning charged with engaging in communication with a child for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification between 25 December 2019 and 6 January 2020.
Crown prosecutor Keith Ballinger said the defendant, of Stubsmead, Eldene, began messaging his friend’s teenage daughter on Facebook about a car her father was selling, but those messages soon turned perverted.
The court heard Kavanagh was friends with his 14-year-old victim’s father and had often drunk together at his address. His victim was known to him prior to this offending.
He’s said to have complimented her, saying “I think you’re fit” despite the child repeatedly telling him her age. Kavanagh also said: “We can be more than friends if you want to.”
The girl believed what he was saying was wrong and informed her father. Subsequently, he informed the police.
When he was interviewed about the claims, he told officers he couldn’t remember when he added her on Facebook, but had added her to message her about a car being sold by her father.
It was confirmed he remained friends with her on Facebook at the time of the interview, despite his now-fiancée having told him to unfriend her following the allegation.
He admitted the offence.
Defending, Liz Highams said most of her client’s conversation with the girl was “no at all sexual”, but accepted he had complimented her and suggested being more than friends.
She added that he had not made any requests for photos or sexual descriptions from the 14-year-old.
District judge Joanna Dickens ordered a pre-sentence report and adjourned the case for sentencing in May.
She told Kavanagh he must visit Gablecross Police Station to register a sex offender within 72 hours. The length of time he’ll be on the register will be determined during sentencing.
