Sunderland man jailed for sending sexual messages to fake child

A man was sentenced to prison for sending sexually explicit messages to someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.

Kevin Rowland from Sunderland sent messages and pictures of himself to a police officer, pretending to be a teenager.

He was arrested at his home on Eastmoor Road in Pallion in May and later pleaded guilty to several offences.

Rowland, 44, was sentenced to three years and three months in prison at Newcastle Crown Court.

Rowland had pleaded guilty to attempting to arrange or facilitate sex offenses against children, engaging in sexual communication with a child, violating a restraining order preventing sexual violence and violating the sex offender reporting requirement.

Det Con Lee Robertson said Rowland’s conviction followed a “long and thorough investigation” by the North East Regional Organised Crime Unite (NEROCU).

“This result means a sex offender is now back behind bars and shows our determination to prosecute anyone who poses a threat to children,” he said.

“We would always encourage anyone who has information about such crimes or who believes they have been a victim to come forward and speak to the police.”