Horsham Man Jailed For Online Child Sex Offences

A Horsham man who contacted young girls online and tried to meet them for sex has been jailed.

In 2023, Gavin West, 46, of Six Acres in Slinfold, exchanged messages with an account on a social media platform that he believed was owned by a 12-year-old girl.

West engaged in sexual conversations with the account, despite being told explicitly the owner was 12 years old, and attempted to arrange a meet up for sexual activity.

Police became aware of West’s messages and, in November, 2023, West was arrested at his home.

A number of devices were seized and found to contain indecent images of children, including two of the most serious category A images and four extreme pornographic images depicting sex acts with dogs.

Messages with other social media users showed West had a committed sexual interest in children.

West was charged with attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual communication with a child, three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child and one count of possessing extreme pornographic images.

At Lewes Crown Court on 24 April, 2025, he pleaded guilty to all charges and, at the same court on Friday (13 June), was sentenced to four years in prison and given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order aimed at reducing his ability to reoffend.

Detective Sergeant David Rose said:

“Gavin West is a committed offender with clear, active sexual interest in children.

“His behaviour online was nothing short of predatory and posed a serious risk of harm to young people.

“Sussex Police is committed to helping young people stay safe online, using a range of tactics to catch offenders while educating children and their families on safety measures.

“Please report any suspicious online incidents to police online or via 101, or call 999 in an emergency.”