Rodolfa Galvao 49

Description

A married man groomed what he believed to be a 14-year-old girl online, booked a hotel room stocked with alcopops, condoms, lubricant, sex toys, and a copy of the Kama Sutra sex book, then arranged to meet her at a 10-pin bowling alley, where he was confronted by a paedophile hunter group, a court heard.

Rodolfa Galvao, 49, was arrested after arriving with a rose and Dairy Milk chocolate, saying he "wanted to make a good first impression." Police found the hotel room in Mumbles with additional tequila and Champagne.

At Swansea Crown Court, Judge Paul Thomas KC said there was "only one reason" for booking the room and items, and he had no doubt Galvao intended penetrative sexual activity with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old. He called the gifts "bribes" and noted the pre-sentence report showed no real remorse, only "self pity," with "highly imaginative excuses, none of which had any credibility."

Prosecutor Helen Randall said contact began on Facebook with a decoy profile run by Dank Dragon volunteer. The decoy stated she was 14, but Galvao continued, exchanging numbers and chatting on WhatsApp. He called it "our little secret," said "age is just a number," discussed massages and a hotel, and reassured her he'd be gentle on her "first time," claiming he'd found his "true love."

Galvao, of Dowsell Way, Yate, Bristol—a Brazilian national who moved to Portugal in his 20s, then UK a decade ago—pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child under 16 following sexual grooming. He has no prior convictions, works delivering baked goods for his wife's business while studying accountancy, and volunteers at a food bank.

Defense barrister Hannah George noted the stigma and difficulties on remand due to prison views.

With a one-third guilty plea discount, Galvao was sentenced to 14 months' imprisonment, serving half in custody before licence release. He'll be a registered sex offender for 10 years and subject to a sexual harm prevention order.