DEREK HUTTON, THE HARROW COMPUTER PERVERT, SENTENCED FOR GROOMING OVER 500 KIDS ON MOVIE STAR PLANET
In September 2017, Derek Hutton, a 48-year-old computer technician from Harrow, was handed a lengthy prison sentence after being found guilty of grooming and sexually abusing more than 500 children through the online platform Movie Star Planet.The case revealed a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior carried out over an extended period, with Hutton using the internet to target vulnerable young girls.
Hutton, who operated under the usernames 'HornyDaddy' and 'BigDaddy,' engaged in manipulative conversations with minors on the social media site designed specifically for children aged 11 to 15.
His tactics involved establishing multiple accounts—over 407 in total—despite repeated blocks, by using the same password across all profiles, which ultimately allowed investigators to link his numerous aliases together.
The site, aimed at young users, became a hunting ground for Hutton, who sought to establish contact with dozens of children through his various accounts.
Investigators from the National Crime Agency initially believed Hutton was based in the United States.
However, they managed to trace his digital footprint back to his residence in Harrow, North London.
During his arrest on June 13, 2016, Hutton made a chilling confession to officers, stating, “It’s like, when I’m alone, I get sexually frustrated, then I go on there [Movie Star Planet] and do that sort of thing.
Then, when it’s over, I just feel absolutely horrified and disgusted.” Hutton’s criminal activities extended beyond mere messaging.
He encouraged victims to communicate via Skype or ooVoo, platforms that facilitate webcam chats, and he would perform sexual acts on himself while watching the children.
He also solicited explicit images and videos from his victims, further exploiting their innocence.
To evade detection, Hutton installed VPN software on his computer, masking his IP address and complicating efforts to track his online activity.
Throughout the investigation, it was established that Hutton’s abuse spanned from August 2014 to June 2016, involving approximately 500 unidentified victims in multiple incidents.
He admitted to engaging in sexual activities with around 250 children and incited at least 50 girls under 13 to participate in sexual acts.
His offenses also included causing children to engage in sexual activities in his presence and creating indecent images of minors.
Hutton pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including causing a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, causing a girl aged 13 to 15 to do the same, and engaging in sexual acts in the presence of children.
He also admitted to attempting to engage in sexual activity with children and inciting minors to perform sexual acts.
The court heard that his actions were driven by a disturbing combination of sexual frustration and predatory intent, exploiting his technical expertise for destructive purposes.
Judge Henry Blacksell QC sentenced Hutton to ten years in prison, condemning his manipulative and destructive behavior.
The judge emphasized that Hutton’s skills as a self-employed computer technician had been exploited in a way that was both manipulative and predatory, causing significant harm to numerous young victims and their families.
The case highlights the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilance in protecting children from online predators.
