A 19-year-old with Asperger’s who’d been in touch online with girl strangers was spared jail after he admitted attempting to incite sexual activity.

Police in Durham were alerted in 2018 by a mum worried about her daughter’s web contact and this led officers to Dylan Elliott Jones, of Gwynant, Old Colwyn.

Caernarfon crown court heard he’d exposed himself and made lewd requests to girls during messages of a highly sexual nature.

Prosecutor Elen Owen said when he'd been 16 and one target aged 13 Jones threatened to report her for going on a website underage, claiming she would be imprisoned.

Defence barrister Owen Edwards said, had the case been at youth court before his 18th birthday, Jones would have been dealt with there. He was 17 at the time of the more recent offences. “Nothing I say is aimed at minimising the seriousness of what he’s done,” Mr Edwards stressed. Since his arrest Jones had been in contact with a charity dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse.

Judge Nicola Jones said there were a dozen offences involving attempting to incite sexual activity, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and possessing indecent images. One girl had been aged 11.

His offending involved “grooming.” But the judge said: "I am satisfied in your case you are capable of rehabilitation.”

Judge Jones imposed a two-year custodial sentence, suspended for 24 months, with rehabilitation and 250 hours unpaid work.

A ten-year sexual harm prevention order was made and he must pay £670 costs.