MATTHEW SMITH FROM EAST DULWICH JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN INDIA AND UK

In August 2023, Matthew Smith, a man originally from East Dulwich, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of children. Smith, aged 35, engaged in a disturbing pattern of criminal activity that spanned several years and involved multiple countries, including India, Nepal, and the United Kingdom.

Smith’s criminal conduct came to light after authorities uncovered a vast cache of illegal material on his electronic devices. Over 120,000 indecent images of children were found stored on his laptop, SD card, and mobile phone. Prosecutors revealed that Smith had also exchanged messages with men in India, encouraging them to lure children away from their homes and commit acts of sexual abuse, then sending him footage of these acts. The investigation indicated that Smith had paid approximately £65,000 over a five-year period to facilitate and commission the abuse of minors in India.

During the police raid on his residence on Chesterfield Grove in East Dulwich in November 2022, Smith was confronted with his own admissions. He expressed remorse and acknowledged his addiction, stating, “Clearly I have an addiction, probably in this area. I’m ashamed of who I am. I would do anything to be normal, anything.” His confession was part of a broader investigation that uncovered his extensive online activity related to child exploitation.

Smith’s criminal record includes charges of encouraging the rape of a child under 13, causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and arranging the sexual abuse of a minor. He pleaded guilty to 17 charges in total, which also included causing a child to engage in sexual acts and facilitating abuse through online communications.

Further details revealed that Smith had a history of working in orphanages and NGOs in India from 2007 to 2014. His offending behavior was primarily linked to his time living and working in Nepal, where he was based during much of his illicit activities. Despite the severity of his crimes, there is no evidence to suggest that he committed any abuse within the UK or Nepal.

In addition to his online activities, Smith attempted to re-establish contact with the UK after returning from Nepal. He posted an online advertisement seeking a flat share, claiming to be a primary school teacher willing to assist with childcare. However, authorities arrested him before he could follow through with this plan. Investigations also uncovered potential offenses committed while he was working in India, and relevant information has been shared with Indian law enforcement agencies.

In June 2023, Smith’s criminal activities escalated when he paid nearly £65,400 to two teenage boys in India, instructing them to abuse younger children. The National Crime Agency (NCA) arrested him in November 2022 after discovering that he was actively sharing abuse material on the dark web and communicating with minors in India. At the time of his arrest, Smith was online, engaging in conversations with a teenage boy in India and requesting sexual images of younger children in exchange for money. His computer contained dark web forums dedicated to child sexual abuse, further evidencing his involvement in this heinous trade.

Investigators analyzed chat logs and financial transactions, establishing that Smith had paid the two Indian teenagers a total of approximately £65,398 over five years. These payments were linked to the commission of abuse against children, with Smith instructing the minors on how to befriend and manipulate children for sexual exploitation. The evidence also included instructions on how to gain children’s trust and facilitate abuse, along with images and videos sent as examples of what he desired.

Smith’s activities in India included working in orphanages and NGOs, and he spent significant time living in Nepal during this period. Despite his international activities, there is no evidence to suggest he committed any offenses against children in the UK or Nepal. However, authorities did find substantial evidence of his online abuse and grooming activities, which led to his initial guilty plea in November 2022 and subsequent charges.

He was brought before Southwark Crown Court on June 20, 2023, where he pleaded guilty to the additional 17 charges, including encouraging the rape of a child under 13, causing sexual activity with a minor, and arranging child sexual abuse. His sentencing is scheduled for August 4, 2023, at the same court, where he will face the consequences of his extensive criminal conduct.