A 'SEXUAL PREDATOR' WHO SEXUALLY ASSAULTED A CHILD AGED UNDER 13 WAS ALSO FOUND TO HAVE SENT VILE INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN TO OTHER PAEDOPHILES ONLINE
A man described as a 'sexual predator' who sexually assaulted a child under the age of 13 was also found guilty of sending disturbing indecent images of children to other pedophiles online.The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) notified police about the suspect’s online activities, where he was using internet platforms to send explicit messages and request sexualized images from young girls.
In October 2022, Matthew Edwards, now residing in Newmarket, was taken into custody by Essex Police at his residence.
During the arrest, several electronic devices were confiscated.
Authorities discovered indecent images and videos of children dating back to 2019.
Further investigations led to allegations that Edwards, then 41 and living in the Uttlesford district, had sexually assaulted a minor.
Edwards refused to speak during his initial police interview.
In a subsequent interview, he read a prepared statement denying any sexual contact with children and claiming that the images he possessed were not of a sexual nature.
The defendant, living on Lisburn Road in Newmarket, faced multiple charges, including three counts of sexually assaulting a girl under 13 through contact and multiple counts related to indecent images of children—including 93 Class A, 29 Class B, and 271 Class C photographs.
Additional charges included attempting to induce a child to engage in sexual acts, trying to cause a child to view sexual images, as well as nine counts of attempting to communicate sexually with a minor.
He also faced charges of outraging public decency.
Edwards pleaded guilty to three counts of taking and producing indecent images and one count of outraging public decency but denied the remaining allegations.
Following a nine-day trial at Chelmsford Crown Court in June, he was convicted on 16 counts.
On August 13, the same court sentenced him to 12 years in prison—eight years to be served behind bars with the remaining four on licence.
Additionally, Edwards will be registered as a sex offender for life and is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
