Andrew Cobb, a 54-year-old man from Monmouth Street, Bridgwater, has been sentenced to over six years in prison following a police sting operation that uncovered his extensive child exploitation offences. Cobb targeted and manipulated at least nine children by engaging them in sexual conversations and soliciting indecent images.
The investigation began in April 2023 when Cobb contacted someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. Following his arrest in June 2023, authorities seized several electronic devices, which revealed persistent, manipulative chats with multiple children. Cobb often initiated the conversations, gaining their trust by framing his interactions as private relationships or mentorships and emphasizing secrecy.
This was not Cobb’s first conviction; he had been previously convicted of similar offences in 2011 and was required to register as a sex offender for 10 years, which concluded in 2021. Despite this, he resumed his offending, pleading guilty to 15 charges including creating indecent images of children, engaging in sexual communications with minors, and inciting children to engage in sexual activity.
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At Taunton Crown Court, sitting at North Somerset Courthouse, Cobb was sentenced to six years and seven months in prison and placed under an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. Detective Constable Benn Murphy emphasized the calculated and relentless nature of Cobb’s abuse, stating, “He deliberately targeted vulnerable children for his own gratification and showed complete disregard for the damage caused. Our commitment to protecting children remains unwavering, and offenders like Cobb will face justice.”