Preston man Adrian Hughes, 35, who searched for 'teen chat' jailed for online child sex offences
Police said the 35-year-old “poses a significant risk to children”...
A Preston man has been jailed after pleading guilty to child sex offences.
Adrian Hughes, 35, of Marsh Lane, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Preston Crown Court on Friday (April 24).
Hughes pleaded guilty to the following offences:
- Attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child
- Arranging/facilitating the commission of sexual activity with a child by penetration
He will also remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
Hughes was caught after an investigation by detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) whose intelligence indicated that social media accounts linked to Hughes had been engaging in sexual conversations with individuals he believed to be children.
In the conversations, Hughes sent sexually explicit messages and discussed how he wanted to meet one of the girls for sex.
He was subsequently arrested on May 26 last year and denied having a sexual interest in children, claiming he believed the people he was speaking to were over 18.
A subsequent examination of his devices uncovered further evidence, including internet searches for terms such as “teen chat”. As a result of this additional evidence, he was rearrested on December 10, 2025.
DI Jon Weir from NWROCU said: “The overwhelming nature of the evidence left Hughes with little choice but to admit his guilt.
“He poses a significant risk to children, deliberately targeting them for his own gratification, and I welcome the custodial sentence imposed by the court today.
“This sentence protects children in our communities and sends a strong message to other predators that this behaviour will be robustly investigated and prosecuted.
“Following his release, Hughes will be subject to strict conditions closely supervised by a police offender manager.”
Anyone with concerns about child abuse, or who wishes to report a crime, is encouraged to contact their local police force via its website or by calling 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.