A MAN from Stroud has been jailed after pleading guilty to four charges relating to online sexual offences against children.

Taran Jay Woodward, aged 24, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 3 December) and was sentenced to five years and four months in prison.

He had previously pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, intentionally causing a female under 13 to engage in sexual activity and two counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The charges relate to offences committed against two girls on the social media app Snapchat and online game Roblox in May 2022.

Woodward had been arrested and charged as part of an investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary's Child Exploitation Team.

His offending was identified after the parents of the children he targeted discovered the offences and reported what happened to their local police forces.

Intelligence checks were made and Woodward was identified and arrested. He answered no comment in interview.

Detective Sergeant Bernadette Harding said: "Despite previously being convicted for online child sex offences, Woodward has continued to use popular social media apps to target and sexually exploit children.

"When he was identified and later arrested, he provided a no comment interview. It was clear from the evidence gathered that he knew he was speaking to, and sexually exploiting, children online.

"This was a lengthy and diligent investigation and I'm pleased with the outcome which includes a term of imprisonment and a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

"The Child Exploitation Team is dedicated to tackling offences of this nature, bringing offenders to justice and safeguarding children from harm."

Woodward, of Barrowfield Road, was also ordered to forfeit all electronic devices so that they can be destroyed and pay a £190 victim surcharge.

If you have concerns about your own use of the internet or inappropriate thoughts or behaviour about children, or you are worried about how someone you know behaves, you can contact the Lucy Faithfull Foundation online at: https://www.lucyfaithfull.org.uk/. You can also call the confidential Stop It Now! Helpline on 0808 1000 900.

If you are worried about online abuse or the way someone has been communicating online, you can let the National Crime Agency's Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) team know by visiting: https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/ CEOP also have a number of educational materials which can be found here: https://prod.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/What-happens-when-I-make-a-report-YP/What-happens-when-I-make-a-report-concerned-adult/