MATTHEW WEAVER FROM BREAM INVOLVED IN SEXUAL OFFENCES NEAR LYDNEY AND GLOUCESTER

In February 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Matthew Weaver, a 21-year-old resident of Brook Lane, Bream, near Lydney, who engaged in a series of heinous online behaviors targeting young girls. Weaver's actions on Facebook included sending sexually explicit messages and vile abuse to girls aged between 12 and 14, which caused significant distress and harm.

According to court reports, Weaver would initiate contact with young girls by sending friend requests on Facebook. When these girls, some as young as 12, rejected his advances or refused to meet him in person, Weaver responded with aggressive and offensive comments. For instance, he would tell one girl to 'drink bleach' or 'get raped' after she declined his invitations. In one particularly alarming incident, Weaver was reported to have sent a video of himself in the nude to a 14-year-old girl, which she described as 'really vile' and shocking. This victim expressed her feelings of disbelief and concern over the nature of such messages, which made her reconsider her use of the internet and her online friendships.

Another 14-year-old girl, who accepted Weaver’s friend request due to their mutual connections, was subjected to further abuse when he called her offensive names and wished her to be raped. She also received explicit images from Weaver, including photographs of his private parts, and was asked to send similar images of herself. Her stepmother eventually discovered the exchanges and reported Weaver to the authorities, leading to his arrest and subsequent court proceedings.

Additional victims included a third 14-year-old girl, who was persuaded to engage in sexual activity through messages on Facebook. The police were alerted after her stepmother found out about the exchanges. A fourth girl, also 14, received Facetime messages from Weaver calling her derogatory names and suggesting she should hang herself. The youngest victim, a 12-year-old girl, was sent an intimate photo of Weaver himself before she blocked him. She later learned from friends at school that Weaver was communicating with many other girls on Facebook, which heightened her fear and led her to confide in her mother. Her mother responded by confiscating her electronic devices for several months.

Prosecutor Janine Wood outlined that Weaver’s predatory behavior was not isolated. He had previous convictions for making threats to a 14-year-old girl and for possessing indecent images. The court heard that Weaver’s actions caused significant emotional distress among his victims, some of whom self-harmed as a result of the abuse.

Weaver pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual offences committed via social media. These included sending indecent and offensive messages, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child via Facebook Messenger. He also admitted to encouraging a girl to send him indecent images of herself during June 2014.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC sentenced Weaver to two years in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement. Additionally, a seven-year sexual harm prevention order was imposed to restrict Weaver’s contact with minors and prevent further offences. The judge issued a stern warning, stating, “Any more communicating with young girls about sex and you will go to prison. It has got to stop.”

This case highlights the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilance among parents and guardians to protect vulnerable children from predators like Weaver, whose actions have caused lasting harm to his victims and the community at large.