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Webcam abuser jailed for 10 years

A sex offender has been jailed after he admitted inciting children under 13 to perform sex acts on themselves on at least 50 occasions.Derek Hutton smaller

Derek Hutton, 49, of Harrrow, North-West London, who also admitted engaging in sexual activity in front of children on at least 250 occasions, was imprisoned for 10 years at Blackfriars Crown Court recently following a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation.

The sentence was extended for five years, to be served on licence, by the judge.

He had admitted created more than 400 accounts on a children’s social media site in order to lure victims on to separate video chatting platforms.

Pleaded guilty

He also pleaded guilty to a third charge of attempting to engage in sexual activity with children on at last 500 occasions, as well as 11 further sex offences relating to seven victims.

NCA officers arrested Hutton in June last year after the administrators of the MovieStarPlanet website alerted them to Hutton’s activity.

The officers, working closely with the site’s staff to secure evidence, found that between August 2014 and June 2016 Hutton had created 407 user accounts.

Analysis showed a pattern in which Hutton would try to engage in sexualised conversations with children.

If successful he would then invite them to leave the site, which does not have a video-chatting function, and join him on video-chatting platforms where he would perform sex acts on himself or encourage his victims to do so.

The NCA or partner agencies have safeguarded 72 children following the investigation.

Advice and support

Marie Smith, head of education at the NCA’s CEOP command, said: “If you are a child or young person who is worried about something that has happened to you or a friend or you want advice about any of the issues highlighted in this investigation, you can get help and support by visiting ClickCEOPwww.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre, by calling Childline on 08001111 or by visiting ThinkuKnow at www.thinkuknow.co.uk.

“Parents and carers can find advice at https://thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/concerned-about-your-child/online-contact-and-staying-safe/ 

Martin Ludlow, manager at the NCA’s CEOP command, said: “Hutton’s offending was obsessive and continuous over almost two years.

“The administrators of MovieStar Planet reported Hutton the moment they became aware of him and gave their full assistance to our investigation.

“Their swift action and continuing help to our officers prevented further exploitation of children taking place. The NCA have identified and safeguarded victims to make sure they have the support they need.”

An NSPCC spokesperson said: "Hutton is a sexual predator who deliberately targeted a social media site popular with children to abuse young victims for his own depraved pleasure.


"His crimes will have a lasting impact on his victims. It's reassuring that the site alerted police to Hutton's activity but parents also need to be aware of who their children are talking to online to help keep them safe. For more advice on online safety contact the NSPCC and O2 helpline on 0808 800 5002."

 

Channel website: http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/

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