Accused of sending sexual messages online? You need discreet, expert legal advice — now.
Get Your Free 30 minute consultationAt MMA Law, we help people in your position every day. Whether it was a sting operation, a misunderstanding, or a message taken out of context — early legal advice is your best protection. All consultations are confidential. No judgement. Just expert defence.
Get Your Free ConsultationIt only takes one message to turn your world upside down. If you've been contacted by police — or fear you will be — you're likely feeling panicked, ashamed, and unsure where to turn.
Many of our clients never imagined they’d be accused of a sexual offence. Some were caught in sting operations. Others were messaged by someone who later claimed to be underage. A few don’t even know what they did wrong.
Whatever your situation, you are not alone. At MMA Law, we provide expert legal advice at every stage. From voluntary interviews and pre-charge investigations to defending false or exaggerated allegations. We act fast, we act discreetly, and we never judge.
Book your free, confidential 30-minute legal consultation today.
Sexual communication with a child is a criminal offence under Section 15A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. It applies when an adult intentionally communicates with someone under the age of 16, and the communication is sexual in nature or intended to encourage a sexual response.
This offence was introduced in 2015 to close a legal gap around online grooming and digital sexual messaging.
Section 15A makes it illegal to:
Even if the messages were only part of a conversation and no meeting occurred, the offence can still apply.
Sting operations — where police or vigilante groups pose as children online — are often involved in these cases. You can still be prosecuted even if the person you were speaking to was not a real child.
If you've been contacted by the police, are under investigation, or have had your devices seized — you do not need to wait to be charged. Early legal advice gives you the best chance to protect your rights, reputation, and future.
Being accused of sexual communication with a child can be confusing, distressing, and overwhelming. These are real situations we help with regularly:
You may have started chatting online, thinking it was private and consensual. Suddenly, the person reveals they’re a decoy. This could be police or a vigilante posing as a child. You're filmed, confronted, or arrested — often without warning.
You believed the person was an adult based on their profile or behaviour. Later, they claimed to be under 16. This often happens during arguments, breakups, or if someone shows chat logs to a third party. For example, a parent.
Sexual chats often happen through popular apps. You may have swapped messages or pictures, not knowing the recipient’s age. Many clients say the conversation felt mutual and that no warning signs were clear at the time.
The police may have searched your home or workplace and taken your phone, tablet, or computer for forensic checks. They will analyse messages, photos, downloads, browsing history, and app data to build a case. Even before charging.
You may have been arrested or asked to attend a voluntary interview. You’re now Released Under Investigation (RUI). This stage feels uncertain. You may have bail conditions or restrictions. But no formal charge has been made yet.
Someone has reported your messages as inappropriate or sexual. You believe it was friendly, harmless, or misunderstood. You may feel shocked, scared, or ashamed. But that doesn’t mean you’re guilty or have no defence.
Being accused of sexual communication with a child can feel terrifying. Understanding the legal process helps you stay in control. Each stage brings important legal risks. Getting early advice from our solicitors can protect your future and reduce harm.
You may be arrested or invited to a voluntary interview under caution at the police station. This is your first chance to protect yourself legally — but anything you say could later be used in court.
Even if you're innocent, speaking without legal advice could harm your defence. We attend interviews across Middlesbrough and Teesside and can guide you beforehand.
After the interview, police may seize your phone, laptop, or tablet for examination. They’ll look through your messages, app history, deleted content, and cloud storage.
Investigators often recover material you thought was erased — even from years ago. This stage can take months. We provide ongoing advice while you're under investigation.
Once the police complete their file, they send it to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The CPS reviews the evidence to decide whether to charge you formally. They must prove there's a realistic chance of conviction and that prosecution is in the public interest.
If you’ve had early legal support, we may challenge weak evidence or avoid charge altogether.
We have extensive experience defending clients accused of sexual communication with a child under Section 15A.
Our team understands how the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) builds these cases. We know the digital evidence they rely on — chat logs, device forensics, and social media history.
We also understand how sting operations work. Many clients are caught by decoy accounts run by police or vigilante groups.
Our defence strategies include:
We examine every angle to protect your rights and future.
If you’ve been contacted by police - do not wait. Our pre-charge legal support can change the outcome.
We help clients during voluntary interviews and under caution. We make sure you don’t say something that could harm your defence.
In some cases, early intervention means charges can be avoided entirely. The sooner we get involved, the more we can do to help.
We understand the fear, panic, and shame that can come with this type of accusation. Many clients feel isolated and unsure who to trust.
At MMA Law, you will be treated with dignity, confidentiality, and compassion. We don’t judge. We listen, advise, and protect your legal rights.
Your case will always be handled with care and discretion.
We are based in Middlesbrough, with deep knowledge of Teesside Combined Court Centre and procedures followed by Cleveland Police.
However, we work with clients across the UK. You don’t need to be local to access our expertise.
We offer flexible appointment options — in person, by phone, or video call — to suit your needs.
We explain everything clearly, without confusing legal jargon. You’ll know where you stand from day one.
We offer fixed-fee options, and we’ll check if you qualify for Legal Aid.
Book your free 30-minute legal consultation today to get trusted legal advice without delay.
Yes. Under Section 15A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, sending sexual messages to a person under 16 is a criminal offence. If convicted, you could face a custodial sentence. Even if no meeting took place, a prison sentence is still possible depending on the nature of the communication and intent.
If you genuinely believed the person was over 16, this can form part of your legal defence. However, you will need to provide credible evidence to support your belief. Such as their profile details, conversation content, or context surrounding the messages.
You may be interviewed under caution. Police will seize your devices for forensic examination. You could be released under investigation (RUI), bailed, or referred to the CPS for charging. The process can take several months. Seek legal advice immediately to protect your rights at every stage.
Yes — but not always admissible. Police or vigilante groups often use decoy profiles to pose as minors. However, the court will assess whether the operation followed proper legal procedure. If entrapment or misconduct is proven, the evidence may be challenged.
If you're charged and the case reaches court, it could be reported. However, if you haven't been charged or remain under investigation, your identity is generally protected. MMA Law handles all cases with strict confidentiality to protect your privacy throughout.
Absolutely. We offer strategic, pre-charge legal advice to help you avoid mistakes and prevent escalation. Early intervention can make a huge difference. Especially during police interviews or CPS review. Contact us now to protect your future.
Yes. Many people wait too long. Getting expert legal advice early improves your chances of avoiding a charge altogether. Whether you’ve been contacted by police, invited to a voluntary interview, or had your device seized — contact us now.
Section 15A makes it illegal to send sexual messages to someone under 16 with the purpose of sexual gratification. It applies to texts, chats, images, or any online communication. You don’t need to meet the person or plan a meeting for the offence to apply.
Yes — if the police or CPS believe there was implied sexual intent in the communication, even without explicit wording. The context of the conversation will be examined. Legal advice is essential to challenge these assumptions early.
Police rely on:
They may also examine deleted content or metadata.
There’s no fixed timeframe. Investigations often take several months, especially if digital forensics are involved. Devices must be analysed, evidence assessed, and the CPS consulted. You may be Released Under Investigation (RUI) for a prolonged period.
Not automatically. If you haven’t been charged, your name is not made public. However, if arrested or your devices are seized, family may become aware. MMA Law works discreetly to help minimise reputational damage wherever possible.
Yes — if there is weak evidence, procedural errors, or a credible defence, charges may be avoided or dropped. Early legal representation is vital to present your case effectively during the pre-charge stage.
Sometimes. But not always. Courts assess whether the sting was lawfully conducted. If evidence was obtained improperly or your rights were breached, it may be challenged. MMA Law has experience defending clients in these complex scenarios.
Every hour you wait could make your situation worse. If you’ve been accused of sexual communication with a child, the consequences — legal, personal, and professional — can be life-changing. Without expert defence, you risk saying the wrong thing in interview. This can mean you face a charge that could have been avoided, and lose control of your future entirely.
MMA Law is here to protect you.
Our specialist sexual offence solicitors offer non-judgemental, confidential legal support from the moment you’re contacted by police. Whether it’s a voluntary interview, a digital device seizure, or allegations from a sting operation, we’ll step in immediately to protect your rights and reputation.
We’ve defended clients across Middlesbrough, Teesside, and nationally, offering:
We will assess your eligibility for Legal Aid and if you are not eligible, we will provide you with an agreed fee to represent you to conclusion of your case.
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