CRAIG COY FROM REDBOURNE SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR ONLINE GROOMING OF SCHOOLGIRLS IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE

In a stark warning about the dangers lurking on social media platforms, a man from Redbourne, North Lincolnshire, has been handed an eight-year prison sentence after being found guilty of grooming and sexually exploiting multiple teenage girls online.

Craig Coy, aged 26, who resided on Carr Lane in Redbourne, faced a series of serious charges in connection with his online activities. He pleaded guilty to a total of 20 counts of sexual offences committed against seven girls, all aged 15 or under at the time of the incidents. Coy, who was previously serving as a soldier, has since been dishonourably discharged from the Army, a consequence of his criminal conduct.

The court heard that Coy used the internet as his primary means of contact while he was on leave from military service. He engaged with the girls through various online messaging platforms, paying some of them to perform sexual acts with him, while inciting others to do the same. Additionally, he encouraged the girls to find other minors willing to participate in similar acts, effectively expanding his network of victims.

Authorities seized Coy’s computer during their investigation, uncovering a staggering collection of over 22,000 messages exchanged over a period of approximately 13 months. These messages detailed his persistent efforts to groom and exploit the young girls, revealing the extent of his online predation.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Katie Mann, who led the investigation on behalf of Humberside Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People Unit based in Scunthorpe, issued a stark warning to parents and children about the risks associated with internet use. She emphasized that many parents were unaware of their children's victimization until law enforcement officials made direct contact.

DC Mann highlighted the disturbing fact that these offences occurred while the victims were at home, often on personal devices such as phones or tablets, making the threat constant and pervasive. She pointed out that although cases like Coy’s are relatively rare, they are becoming increasingly common, underscoring the importance of vigilance and education about online safety.

She advised parents and young people to have open conversations about internet safety, urging children to report any inappropriate messages to trusted adults or authorities. She also warned against accepting friend requests from unknown individuals, noting that Coy did not fit the stereotypical image of a predator—he was described as a good-looking young man, which initially attracted the girls.

DC Mann recounted that police became aware of Coy’s activities after a concerned friend of one of his victims confided in her mother. The friend was present during one of the offences, which prompted further investigation. The case was initially brought to social services’ attention, and a joint investigation was launched. It was only after examining Coy’s computer that authorities realized the full extent of his contact with multiple girls.

During interviews, the victims provided statements via DVD recordings, and Coy eventually admitted to many of the allegations. The investigation revealed that Coy would spend up to eight hours daily messaging the girls during his leave, bombarding them with inappropriate content and advances.

In sentencing, Coy was given an eight-year prison term and was also subjected to a sexual offences prevention order, aimed at preventing further offending. DC Mann expressed some disappointment that the sentence could have been longer but acknowledged that Coy’s guilty plea and the fact that the victims did not have to testify in court were positive aspects of the case.

She concluded with a plea to any young person experiencing similar abuse to come forward, emphasizing that no one should feel ashamed or embarrassed. She stressed the importance of speaking to trusted adults, teachers, or law enforcement, as many victims struggle to end such abuse due to fear or confusion. The police remain committed to protecting vulnerable individuals and bringing offenders like Coy to justice.