ADAM CHAMBERS FROM CASTLEDAWSON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AND ONLINE BLACKMAIL IN DERRY

A man from Castledawson, Adam Chambers, has been sentenced to prison after a series of disturbing criminal acts involving a teenage girl. Chambers, aged 21 and residing on Park View in Castledawson, Co Derry, pleaded guilty to multiple serious charges, including eight counts of possessing indecent photographs of a child, three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of harassment directed at his young victim.

These offences spanned from December 2019 to May 2022, beginning when the girl was only twelve years old and Chambers was 17. The case was heard at Derry Crown Court, where Judge Neil Rafferty KC delivered the sentence, taking into account Chambers' neurodiversity issues, including a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder that was made during the period when the offences occurred.

During the sentencing, Judge Rafferty emphasized the innocence of the child victim, stating that she “needs to understand she did nothing wrong and the only person who carries any blame in this is the defendant.” He further remarked that the crimes committed against her were serious and that her guilty pleas served as a powerful vindication of her innocence.

The court detailed the troubling history of Chambers’ interactions with the victim. In 2019, he sent her a text message in which he called her derogatory names because she refused to date him. The girl showed this message to her parents, who then approached Chambers and warned him to cease all contact. Despite these warnings, Chambers continued to contact her, claiming he did not want to “fall out with other Christians.”

In March 2021, the victim sent Chambers a message asking him to stop sending her explicit pictures, saying, “can u please stop sending me pictures of ur parts.” The situation escalated in May 2022 when the victim’s mother received automated calls from Chambers, along with nuisance calls to their home, prompting her to report the matter to the police.

Judge Rafferty highlighted that Chambers repeatedly threatened to share explicit images of the girl with others. When arrested, police found indecent images of the victim on his mobile phone. Chambers declined to comment during police interviews following his arrest.

In sentencing, Judge Rafferty clarified that this case was not solely about blackmail, but also involved the complex issue of online sextortion. Chambers was sentenced to 18 months in prison and was ordered to be placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for ten years. Additionally, he will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for the same period, reflecting the serious nature of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.