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Man who used fake Facebook profiles to sexually abuse children jailed for 16 years

Paul George Leighton, from England, blackmailed children into sending him recordings of them committing sexual offences.

A MAN WHO used multiple fake Facebook profiles to blackmail children into sending him recordings of them committing sexual offences has been jailed for 16 years in England.

Paul George Leighton (32), from Seaham in Durham, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court today after pleading guilty at earlier hearings to numerous charges – the majority of which were in relation to the coercion of children on social media.

These included three rape charges, which the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was able to prosecute even though the offending, which Leighton instigated online, took place in a different country.

In December 2016, Leighton was arrested by Northumbria Police after they received information he had been exchanging indecent images over Facebook.

During an interview, he admitted to officers that he had created 30 to 40 fake profiles on the social media website, through which he had persuaded children to send nude images of themselves.

An examination of his phone revealed further abuse of as many as 100 children in the US and Canada.

Leighton had succeeded in persuading young people to perform sexual assaults and rapes on younger relatives, including the rape of a two-year-old girl by one victim.

He had threatened to expose the children in question to friends and family if they did not send him videos of themselves committing these offences.

He also admitted to two sexual assaults of a child under the age of 13. He committed these offences in the UK.

Gary Buckley of the CPS said: “The offences unearthed during the investigation of this case will be chilling reading for any parent. By using fake Facebook profiles, Paul Leighton preyed on the vulnerabilities and insecurities of younger children, coaxing them into increasingly extreme forms of sexual activities.

This case perfectly illustrates the very real risks to children of sharing images of themselves online and I would encourage anyone who believes they are being targeted in this way to report it to police at the earliest opportunity.

“Taking swift action may well prevent others from falling victim to similar crimes.

“It is difficult to overstate the damage caused by Paul Leighton, but it is our sincere hope that the sentences passed today bring a measure of comfort to all of his victims.”

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    Mute Fiona deFreyne
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    Sep 4th 2017, 8:51 PM

    As long as there is no reduction in time served orvearly parole, this is almost but not quite an adequate sentence.

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    Mute Dj
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    Sep 4th 2017, 8:54 PM

    @Fiona deFreyne: The only reduction involving this lowlife should be the oxygen to his brain as the rope tightens.

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    Mute James Peter Lawlor
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    Sep 5th 2017, 1:07 AM

    @Fiona deFreyne: I wonder would you still feel the same if it was your children

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    Mute Miriam
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    Sep 4th 2017, 9:09 PM

    Couldn’t read passed “2 year old victim”
    There are disgusting “humans” out there and 16 years was nowhere near enough for this beast. I’m sick.

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    Mute Mary Murphy
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    Sep 4th 2017, 8:51 PM

    Basturd. Life wouldn’t be long enough for the blackmail he used to create real victims

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    Mute Mark Walsh
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    Sep 4th 2017, 9:15 PM

    Hope he gets a hiding every day of his sentence

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    Mute Mark Walsh
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    Sep 4th 2017, 9:16 PM

    And every day thereafter outside

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    Mute hugh sure
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    Sep 4th 2017, 11:37 PM

    Once he has served his sentence he will be extradited to America to be tried for his offences there, he will get more than 16 years

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    Mute Mary Murphy
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    Sep 5th 2017, 12:09 AM

    @hugh sure: Really??? That is good news

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    Mute Liam flag
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    Sep 4th 2017, 9:34 PM

    Imagine the outrage of this was a Muslim man.

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    Mute Pat Patovic
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    Sep 5th 2017, 12:28 AM

    @Liam flag: What a disgusting racist comment.

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    Mute Dead Mousche
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    Sep 4th 2017, 9:32 PM

    I’d strangle this man slowly and watch the lights go out in his eyes as he struggled and derive pure enjoyment from it.

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    Mute Liam flag
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    Sep 4th 2017, 9:33 PM

    @Dead Mousche: Seek help.

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    Mute Dead Mousche
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    Sep 4th 2017, 9:38 PM

    @Liam Flag…I went to a head doctor once but she got scared 5 mins in and cancelled the appointment.

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    Mute Jim
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    Sep 4th 2017, 9:39 PM

    @Dead Mousche: I’ll help. Happy now Liam?

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    Mute Mary Murphy
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    Sep 5th 2017, 12:09 AM

    @Dead Mousche: Bring Liam Flag with you next time the Dr might be able to fix the hole in him

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    Mute Dell
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    Sep 4th 2017, 10:20 PM

    16 years is nowhere near enough. He ruined multiple lives.. What a monster.

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    Mute James Peter Lawlor
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    Sep 5th 2017, 1:00 AM

    @Fiona deFreyne: I wonder would you still think that if it was your children involved

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