Worcester sex offender's sentencing is adjourned again

Matthew Sherwood admitted attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and having indecent images of children in late January.

The sixth hearing of the case, at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday, (June 21) had expected to be the sentencing of the 37-year-old.

But at the start of the hearing it quickly became apparent Sherwood was not in the dock of courtroom one.

Mark Sheward, defending, explained Sherwood was not present as he was in hospital.

Judge Martin Jackson asked which hospital he was current at, Mr Sheward explaining he did not have information.

"He is still in hospital, he did not say which hospital he is in," Mr Sheward said.

"I anticipate a psychiatric hospital."
 

COURT: Matthew Sherwood. Photo: West Mercia Police

Judge Jackson said he was adjourning the case for two weeks, saying Sherwood would need to provide evidence of admission to hospital at the next hearing.

Sherwood was originally due to be sentenced on March 2 but the case was adjourned for six weeks because his advocate argued his mental health needed to be explored before any decision was reached on his fate.

The defendant, of Mandalay Drive, Norton, near Worcester, had pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child between January 31, 2020 and February 8, 2020.

He further admits attempting to cause or incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity between January 31, 2020 and February 8, 2020.

'Attempts' mean the defendant was communicating with a 'decoy' using fake profiles, rather than an actual child.

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Sherwood has also admitted making indecent photos of a child between April 12, 2020 and June 6, 2020. He had three category C images, the least serious category within the guidelines.

COURT: Matthew Sherwood. Picture: James Connell

Sherwood was caught by a group called 'No More Secrets', an online child protection unit using the profile of a fictional 14-year-old girl.

We have previously reported how supporters formed a 'human shield' around Sherwood outside Worcester Magistrates Court, so he could not be photographed.