Judge blasts defiant Wakefield paedophile after trial: 'I didn't believe you for a second'
Pervert told his defence was “ridiculous”
A paedophile found guilty of child-sex offences for targeting a 12-year-old boy online has been told by a judge that she didn’t believe his story.
Michael Pratt was convicted by a jury at Leeds Crown Court after making sexual suggestions to the youngster.
It was heard that the profile was not a real child, but a decoy looking to catch out predatory perverts.
Pratt, 57, was found guilty after a two-day trial in April. He was convicted of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child under 13 to look at an image of sexual activity.
He spent 10 weeks in conversation with the supposed youngster between January and March 2023.
It was heard Pratt sent explicit photographs and engaged in highly-sexualised conversations.
During his sentencing hearing this week, Judge Kate Rayfield described his explanation at trial as the “most ridiculous defence”, but no further details were disclosed.
Judge Rayfield told him: “You denied any wrongdoing. I did not believe you for a second.
“I think you were ashamed and can’t bring yourself to admit what this is all about.”
However, the court heard that no attempts were made by Pratt, of Gilann Street, Knottingley, to meet the child and that he eventually “desisted” and broke off contact.
Mitigating, Lily Wildman accepted there was little could be said on his behalf, due to Pratt’s ongoing denials, although she pointed to his lack of previous convictions.
Judge Rayfield conceded it made sentencing difficult, saying he needed to accept his crimes before he could be rehabilitated.
But she drew back from immediate custody, giving him a 15-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 30 rehabilitation days to complete with probation.
He was also given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), designed to curb his internet use.
He was also put on the sex offender register.