Police later found he had hastily wiped his mobile phone in a desperate bid to cover up his sexualised conversations with someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl
Matthew Kelsey admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child (Image: Humberside Police)
A serial sex offender who thought that he was exchanging “graphic” messages with a 13-year-old girl barricaded his home before the police arrived by piling up furniture against the door in a doomed bid to avoid being arrested. The police had to force entry to his home and they later found that he had hastily wiped his mobile phone in a desperate bid to cover up his sexualised conversations.
He had previously been jailed for sexual matters and he had now been given a much-needed “wake-up call” about his antics, Hull Crown Court heard. Matthew Kelsey, 38, of Saltgrounds Road, Brough, admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child between August 25 and September 17, 2024.
Connor Stuart, prosecuting, said that Kelsey began exchanging messages with what he thought was a 13-year-old girl but she was really a decoy operated by an online group. He asked her to be his girlfriend, asked for photographs of her and sent pictures to her.
There were highly sexualised conversations between them. Kelsey was traced by the online group through his business.
The police were alerted but, when they they arrived at his home, they found it barricaded by furniture blocking the door. He had factory reset his mobile phones in an attempt to conceal evidence.
During police interview, Kelsey made no comment to questions. “He did deny that he was a risk to children and that he possessed indecent images,” said Mr Stuart.
Kelsey had convictions for two previous sexual offences, including inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity in 2012, when he was given a community order. He was jailed for two years in Scotland in 2020 for offences involving sexual communication and activity.
Holly Thompson, mitigating, said that Kelsey pleaded guilty at an early opportunity but his previous convictions did him “absolutely no favours” now. “This defendant had a wake-up call that he so desperately needed,” said Miss Thompson.
“There have been no repeat offences. He has a determination to address what he knows is a sexual interest in children. He has shown genuine remorse.”
Kelsey was isolated at the time and he suffered from difficulties. He had a landscape gardening, valeting and dog care business. He was a low risk of reconviction.
Judge John Thackray KC told Kelsey: “You thought that you were communicating with a 13-year-old. You asked the 13-year-old girl, or what you thought was a 13-year-old girl, to be your girlfriend.
“You asked for photographs. You sent photographs and there were sexual conversations and quite graphic sexual conversations.
“This is a serious example of sexual communication with a child. You said you wanted to make love with her. Of course, she did not exist but you did not know that.
“The intent was there. If it had been a 13-year-old girl, it would have caused immeasurable damage. The decoy group traced you and you were reported to the police.
“They had to force entry because you blocked it with furniture. You were soliciting images.
” Your convictions are a significant aggravating feature. I don’t accept that your risk can be managed in the community or that your risk can be managed in the community.
“This is the third time that you have appeared for sexual offences in 14 years. Only appropriate punishment can be achieved by way of an immediate custodial sentence.”
Kelsey, who had been on bail, was jailed for 10 months. He was given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and he must register as a sex offender for 10 years.
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