Former Southampton pub manager sent Pornhub link to 'boy'

Phillip Cornock, 34, told 'Josh' he wanted to meet up after first messaging him on gay dating app Romeo.

After moving the conversation to Whatsapp, the chat became more sexual, with Cornock referring to the 'boy' as "sexy" and "cute".

He even sent him a link to his own account on Pornhub where he had uploaded naked images of himself, a court heard.

He went on to talk about meeting up with the boy, telling him how “it could all start with cuddling” and asking for photos of him.

Phillip Cornock (Image: Confronted and Caught)

But in October last year, Cornock, formerly of Denzil Avenue, Southampton was confronted by the vigilante group behind the fake profile.

Prosecuting, Keely Harvey told the court the group had found out Cornock’s address through PayPal after tracking his phone number.

On October 9, they turned up at his home, streaming the sting live on the internet. 

Police were called and discovered numerous sex toys as well as young girls and boys' underwear.

Cornock handed over his phones and was arrested that day. He had first messaged 'Josh' in August of that year.

READ MORE: Former pub manager who admitted child sex offence says he 'hates kids'

Cornock denied the offences but on the day of his trial, he pleaded guilty to attempting to communicate with a child under 16 for sexual gratification.

At his sentencing on Thursday, Judge Peter Henry said Cornock had told probation officers that he didn’t send explicit messages, which is “indicative of somebody who is not showing any sort of remorse at all”.

He said: “It is quite clear that those messages were sent by you. There are numerous messages.

“You must have been entirely aware that you were communicating with a 14-year-old boy.

“These messages went on for a considerable time. You haven’t shown much or any remorse.”

Southampton Crown Court was also told how Cornock had changed his name to "Lord Phillip Cornock" and had shown the 'boy' a certificate to prove this.

READ MORE: Former Southampton pub manager sent explicit messages to 'boy'

Mitigating, Ruba Heleihel said her client had a difficult upbringing with his mother dying when he was seven years old.

He went on to become an escort at a time when he didn’t have much money and has been diagnosed with ADHD.

As a result of the sting being streamed online “he was targeted in his accommodation and in his community”, forcing him to move house, she said.

“These matters should be dealt with in court, not outside of court.”

Cornock, who has three previous convictions for five offences, was jailed for 14 months.

He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and notification requirements for the next 10 years.

A deprivation order was made for the phone seized by police.

Cornock used to work at Griffin Bar and Grill in Shirley but has no longer any links to the pub, which is under new management.