TEEN STUDENT BLACKMAILED GIRLS INTO MAKING SEXUALLY EXPLICIT VIDEOS
2017.A teenager accused of blackmailing minors into creating sexually explicit content has been remanded into custody.
Glen Wilson, aged 18 and from Longforgan, Perthshire, coerced girls as young as 12 to send images and videos, which he threatened to distribute among other pedophiles.
At Perth Sheriff Court, it was stated that one of the victims was left contemplating suicide due to his actions.
Wilson pleaded guilty to 23 charges of extortion and possession of child abuse images spanning from September 2015 to June the following year.
He is scheduled for sentencing on September 13.
Court proceedings revealed that Wilson targeted individuals in multiple regions, including London, Wales, Sheffield, Derby, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.
According to deputy fiscal John Malpass, Wilson sought out girls aged between 12 and 15 via social media platforms, engaging them in conversations that manipulated them into sending nude or semi-nude photos.
He employed threatening tactics, telling the girls that their details could be shared and warning that he would share their images with their social circles if they refused.
The prosecutor noted that at least one victim reported feeling suicidal as a result of Wilson’s threats, yet he continued to pressure her into sending more videos.
Wilson reportedly told some victims, "You have two options.
You either do what I ask or I send.
Block me, delete me, report me, tell your parents—any of these, and I press send.
Everyone you know will see everything, and your reputation will be ruined." In another case, he warned: "I don’t want to ruin your life, but I will if you make me." Device searches at Wilson’s home found videos he had shared on Skype and approximately 450 messages containing threats sent to his victims.
The court, presided over by Sheriff Gillian Wade, ordered the teen to be kept in custody and noted concern that the case has not yet been escalated to a High Court trial.
