Exclusive:Southsea pensioner who described 14-year-old girl as 'gorgeous' and shared sexual fantasies is spared jail
Nicholas Patterson thought he was messaging a teenage girl - but it was actually a decoy account.
A pensioner caught in a sex predator sting has been spared jail.
Nicholas Patterson, 67 from Alverstone Road, Southsea, pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. On Friday, August 7, he appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates Court for sentencing.
The court heard how in February 2023 Patterson, who is retired, messaged who he thought was a 14-year-old girl via an online forum - which instead was a decoy account run by a vigilante group. Patterson told the decoy about his health conditions, before moving the conversation onto a more sexual discourse.
Over the course of a few messages, Patterson made comments about the decoy teenager’s appearance, before describing some of his own sexual fantasies, which were read out in court to the judge.
The decoy account repeatedly told the defendant that they were only 14 years old, to which Patterson replied, “I know, but you’re gorgeous.” He later asked where the decoy girl was from, o which he received no response, and later deleted his online profile.
In April 2026, Patterson pleaded guilty at what solicitor Lewis Foster said was the “earliest opportunity”, and has been on notice with the police ever since.
Mr Foster said: “He has since deleted, or locked, all social media platforms he had previously used. This was a reckless act, where Patterson was looking for a connection.
“But there was no actual connection; this was communication with a decoy, rather than a physical encounter or event.
“It’s my submission that this offence can be dealt with by a community order. Given that he pleaded guilty, is clearly remorseful, and given his age, I would submit that this does not warrant a custodial sentence.”
While submissions were being given by prosecution and defence barristers, Patterson sat in front of the bench in his rollator wheelchair with his head bowed, snivelling occasionally.
Patterson was sentenced to 10 weeks in custody, which has been suspended for two years. During that time, he must attend 35 rehabilitation days.
The pensioner was then made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for five years, and notification requirements for seven years. He must also pay a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.