DANIEL BERRY FROM BURY AND PRESTWICH INVOLVED IN HORRIFIC ONLINE CHILD ABUSE CASES IN YORKSHIRE AND BEYOND

In a disturbing case that has shocked communities across the UK, Daniel Berry, aged 31, of Prestwich and Bury, has been found guilty of a series of heinous crimes involving the online grooming and sexual exploitation of underage girls. The investigation revealed that Berry targeted young girls through social media platforms, luring them with false promises of modelling opportunities before coercing them into sending explicit images and videos of themselves.

The abuse spanned over two years, during which Berry, described by Judge Tina Landale as 'depraved,' manipulated at least 16 girls, some as young as 12 years old. His victims were not confined to Yorkshire alone; they came from various parts of the UK, including Scotland, Wales, Northumberland, Kent, Sussex, Staffordshire, and Manchester. The widespread nature of his grooming operation underscores the extensive reach of his malicious activities.

Between 2017 and 2019, Berry created three fake Facebook profiles under the guise of a woman named Sarah. Through these profiles, he contacted young girls, enticing them with offers of lucrative modelling jobs that promised to earn them 'millions of pounds.' The court heard that 'Sarah' then directed the victims to download the Kik Messaging app, claiming it was necessary to communicate with the 'boss' of the fake agency. It was on Kik that Berry, adopting the alias 'Mark,' launched his campaign of abuse, pressuring the girls into performing sexual acts and recruiting their friends into his network.

Prosecutor Amanda Johnson detailed how Berry's manipulative tactics included coercing victims into recruiting others, sometimes even their own siblings, into his grooming scheme. Many victims disclosed vulnerabilities, such as facing violence at home or suffering from mental health issues, which Berry exploited by offering promises of money and employment as a means of control. When victims questioned the timing of payments or refused to comply, Berry, through his alter-ego 'Mark,' threatened to sue their families or release explicit videos of them online, intensifying their fear and helplessness.

Some victims attempted to escape his grasp by claiming hospitalizations or injuries from accidents, or by deleting and blocking his accounts. Despite these efforts, Berry's threats persisted, with messages from multiple social media accounts, including his original alias 'Sarah,' warning victims of police prosecution if they did not respond. One young girl, aged between 12 and 15 at the time, recounted her fear that 'Mark' would find her and harm her physically.

The police eventually intervened, and the brave victims cooperated fully, providing crucial evidence that contributed to the conviction. A forensic investigator described the case as 'the worst' of child sexual abuse he had encountered in his career. Further investigation uncovered that Berry had amassed over 5,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse since 2012, including material he pressured his victims into sending.

Judge Tina Landale sentenced Berry to a total of 13 years in prison, with an additional three years on license. She also imposed a lifelong sexual harm prevention order against him. In her sentencing remarks, she condemned his actions as 'most depraved and horrific,' emphasizing that Berry exploited the vulnerability of children in their own homes, where they should be safe. She highlighted the distressing nature of the evidence, noting that a forensic examiner had never seen material more disturbing in their entire career.

Berry faced a total of 48 charges, including counts of causing or inciting sexual activity with girls aged 13 to 15, causing them to view sexual images, distributing indecent photographs, and possessing extreme pornographic material. His crimes also involved under-13 victims and included the possession of images depicting acts that threatened life.

The case has brought to light the extent of online grooming and exploitation, with authorities warning of the ongoing risks posed by predators like Berry. The victims' courage in coming forward has been instrumental in securing justice, and the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and safeguarding children from online threats.