Police pounced on a man who travelled to rape a youngster in Swindon.
Officers nabbed Thomas Brewerton in the town in November 2025, when he arrived with the intention of sexually abusing a child under the age of 13.
Instead of meeting with the intended victim, he was arrested by a specialist team from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).
The 25-year-old, who travelled to Swindon from his home in Cot Lane in Stourbridge, West Midlands, was questioned in custody.
He was later charged with arranging or facilitating the commission of an offence of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity (penetration).
The defendant pleaded guilty to the offences and at Swindon Crown Court today (Wednesday) was sentenced imprisonment of six years and four months.
DI Dave Wells from SWROCU said: “This case represents an appalling intention to commit a devastating offence.
“Thomas Brewerton is a dangerous individual who sought to rape a child and my officers acted swiftly to detain him.
“My team is part of a national network of specialist officers who are across the internet looking to track down people with a sexual interest in children and intervene before any harm can occur.
“The sentence handed down to Brewerton today, along with the conditions of his SHPO, will help protect the most vulnerable people in our communities and keep them safe from sexual harm.”
