Craig Henton, 54, of Port Talbot, has been sentenced after National Crime Agency (NCA) investigators linked his use of encrypted messaging with admissions about child sexual abuse. The case began in April 2024 following information received that a user of an encrypted messaging app said he had imminent plans to commit sexual offences against a five-year-old girl. Officers tracked the user to Henton’s address and searched devices seized from him. Investigators found that Henton had shared an indecent image of the child. In total, a device seized from Henton contained 4,570 indecent images and videos, including 918 in category A, the most serious. During chats between February and May 2024, Henton described himself as a paedophile and said he had befriended a vulnerable mother to gain access to her daughter. He also discussed meeting up with others and their children so he could carry out further abuse. The NCA says Henton told users he had been a paedophile for 25 years. Henton also claimed he had sexually assaulted a child in the past when the victim was aged between three and five. The NCA said the child was identified and safeguarded. Henton was arrested again in May and June 2024 on suspicion of offences involving assault of a girl under 13 and arranging the commission of a child sex offence. Henton made no comment during interview but was charged with 18 offences. Further indecent images were recovered from another device seized from him in April 2024, totalling almost 1,400 images. Henton pleaded guilty to all offences at Swansea Crown Court in October 2025. On 1 September 2026, he was sentenced to 21 years in prison, with a further six years on licence, and given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The judge also ordered indefinite restraining orders for the victims. Henton will remain on the Sex Offender Register for life.