A 36-year-old man from Weymouth has appeared before Weymouth Magistrates’ Court following an alleged online sting operation carried out by a group known as Protecting Pompey’s Innocent.

The alleged operation took place on 5 April 2026. The man is alleged to have attempted to engage in sexual communication with a child and to have sent images of his genitals to an individual he believed to be 14 years old.

The allegations have not been proven in court, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was adjourned at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court and sent to Winchester Crown Court for trial.

The case is proceeding at Crown Court level, where more serious criminal cases can be heard and greater sentencing powers are available than in a magistrates’ court.

The next hearing is scheduled for 11 November 2026.

The case is recorded under court reference 55DH0088526.

The Dorset Gazette will continue to follow the proceedings and report further developments as they become available.