LUKE SMITH FROM BARNHAM AND PORTSMOUTH SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN FBI AND SUSSEX POLICE INVESTIGATION

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Barnham and Portsmouth, a man named Luke Smith has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of heinous child sexual offenses. The investigation, which involved both the FBI and Sussex Police, uncovered a disturbing pattern of online predatory behavior that spanned over a year.

Luke Smith, aged 53 at the time of his arrest, had been residing in Orchard Way, Barnham, near Bognor. He engaged in a sinister online scheme where he impersonated a young woman, specifically a 20-year-old, in order to communicate with a man in the United States. His goal was to manipulate the man into committing acts of sexual abuse against a vulnerable infant. The man, under Smith’s influence, was persuaded to perform a disturbing act on camera, assaulting his partner’s 20-month-old son.

The mother of the young boy discovered the horrifying footage and immediately contacted authorities. The man involved was swiftly arrested and has remained in custody since that time. The investigation that followed was extensive, involving the FBI and Sussex Police, who worked together to gather evidence and track down the perpetrator.

During the investigation, law enforcement officials seized multiple electronic devices from Smith’s residence, including his laptop and mobile phone. These devices contained numerous requests from Smith, explicitly asking for the sexual assault of the young child. The crimes took place over a period from July 2018 to December 2019, highlighting a prolonged pattern of disturbing behavior.

Smith was formally charged and appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday, August 19. During the hearing, he pleaded guilty to nine counts of encouraging the penetrative sexual assault of a child under 13, as well as four counts of making indecent images of children. Some of these images were classified as Category A, indicating the most severe level of explicit material.

Today, Luke Smith, now residing on Hewitt Road in Portsmouth, was sentenced for his crimes. The court handed down a significant prison term, and he will also be registered on the sex offenders register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities and restrictions to protect the community from further harm.