Andrew Cobb, 54, of Bridgwater, has been jailed for six years and seven months after admitting 15 offences, including making indecent images and sending sexual messages to children. Police say he sought images from at least nine children and messaged someone he believed to be a 13-year-old in April 2023. Cobb was arrested in June 2023; he had a prior conviction in 2011 and had been on the sex-offender register until 2021. He was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order to help reduce the risk of further harm.
Bridgwater man jailed for 6 years 7 months after sending sexual messages to children
Andrew Cobb, 54, of Bridgwater, has been jailed for six years and seven months after admitting 15 offences, including making indecent images and sending sexual messages to children. Police say he sought images from at least nine children and messaged someone he believed to be a 13-year-old in April 2023. Cobb was arrested in June 2023; he had a prior conviction in 2011 and had been on the sex-offender register until 2021. He was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order to help reduce the risk of further harm.
07:28 PM, 11/15/2025Society
Man sentenced for targeted online child exploitation
Andrew Cobb, 54, of Bridgwater, Somerset, has been sentenced to six years and seven months in prison after admitting 15 offences, including making indecent images and sending sexual messages to children.
The court heard that Cobb engaged in what police describe as "manipulative" online conversations and requested images from at least nine children. In one instance in April 2023, he messaged someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. Cobb was arrested in June 2023 and several electronic devices were seized during the investigation.
Cobb previously committed similar offences in 2011 and was ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years; that registration period ended in 2021. At Taunton Crown Court he pleaded guilty to the current charges and was given a custodial sentence alongside an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Avon and Somerset Police said Cobb "deliberately targeted vulnerable children". Detective Constable Benn Murphy described the case as exposing the "calculated and relentless nature of Cobb's online child exploitation," adding that Cobb "manipulated them for his own gratification."
The sentencing covers 15 offences and the indefinite sexual harm prevention order is intended to help reduce the risk of further harm to children. Police reiterated that protecting children is one of their "absolute priorities."
If you have information about online exploitation or are concerned about a child’s safety, contact local police or the appropriate child protection services.