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Paralympic Gold Medalist Gareth Duke Receives Suspended Sentence After Child-Sex Messaging Sting

A judge branded his conduct predatory, imposing sex‑offender registration plus a seven‑year sexual harm prevention order.

Overview

  • Newport Crown Court handed Duke a six‑month jail term suspended for 18 months following his guilty plea.
  • He admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child for messages sent between May 25 and June 2.
  • The person he believed was a 14‑year‑old was a decoy from the Child Online Safety Team, whose evidence was given to police.
  • Prosecutors said he solicited images, asked for bath photos, urged stripping on camera, gave sexual instructions, and pushed to meet in Cwmbran to “kiss and cuddle.”
  • He must complete a 30‑day rehabilitation activity and pay a £154 surcharge, while the defence cited complex health needs and a lack of prior convictions.