Salisbury paedophile communicated sexually with decoy

Antony Powell, of Devizes Road, pleaded guilty to sending sexual online messages to a person he believed to be a girl under the age of 16 between 16 and 18 August 2022.

The 40-year-old admitted to asking a decoy woman named “Hollie” whether she was still a virgin, whether she liked French kissing and whether she would have sex with her next boyfriend.

Powell also asked “Hollie” for photos of himself and told her how much he wished she lived closer to his home in Salisbury so they could “spend the evening kissing and in each other’s arms.”

READ MORE: Why do local newspapers report on court cases? What are they allowed to publish?

Salisbury District Court (Image: Newsquest)

This operation was part of Operation Meteor, which uses online decoys to identify people with a sexual interest in children in the interest of public safety.

On Friday 26 July, Salisbury Magistrates’ Court heard that Powell had just returned from holiday during which an altercation had broken out when he made contact with ‘Hollie’.

Rebecca Veasey, who mitigated the charge, said Powell had undergone therapy and had since separated from his husband.

Ms Veasey added that the communication took place over a short period of time and claimed that no harm was done as “it is not a real person”.

The court concluded that Powell was a man of good character and had no criminal record.

The judges adjourned the trial for sentencing on September 9 at Salisbury Magistrates Court and released Powell on unconditional bail.