SHAUN TURNER FROM COTTENHAM SENTENCED FOR CYBER-CRIME INVOLVING CAMBRIDGE VICTIMS
| Red Rose Database
Cottenham Child Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Shaun Turner, aged 29, of Race Course View in Cottenham, was sentenced to prison following a series of serious cyber-related offenses that targeted female victims from his home near Cambridge. The investigation, carried out by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU), uncovered a pattern of invasive and illegal online activities carried out by Turner, who exploited malware technology to spy on women without their knowledge.
Turner’s criminal activities involved the use of malicious software, specifically a Remote Access Trojan (RAT), which allowed him to gain unauthorized access to the personal computers of his victims. From his residence in Cottenham, he monitored these women through their webcams, often without their consent. The extent of his intrusion was extensive; he not only watched live footage streamed directly from their webcams but also downloaded all files stored on their devices. This included sensitive personal photographs, videos, and even official identity documents, revealing a deeply invasive breach of privacy.
Further investigation revealed that Turner had also installed software on victims’ computers that streamed live images directly to his own device, enabling him to observe his victims in real-time. Police identified several victims, some of whom Turner had never met in person. Among these victims was a schoolgirl, raising concerns about the potential for further undiscovered victims. Authorities believe that there may be many more individuals who fell prey to Turner’s malicious activities, but who have yet to come forward or be identified.
During the course of the investigation, authorities uncovered records indicating that Turner had accessed numerous pornographic websites simultaneously while viewing the images and videos of his victims. This pattern of behavior suggests a disturbing combination of voyeurism and exploitation. Turner’s activities extended beyond mere voyeurism; records also showed that he had acted as a ‘salesman’ for malware distribution and had offered technical assistance to other aspiring cybercriminals through chat applications, effectively promoting and facilitating cybercrime.
Turner pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including voyeurism, possession of indecent images of a child, and various offenses under the Computer Misuse Act. Notably, he refused to provide his encryption key when requested by authorities, complicating efforts to fully investigate his digital footprint. His court appearance at Peterborough Crown Court on Monday, January 30, culminated in a sentencing of three years in prison. Additionally, Turner was issued a sexual harm prevention order that will restrict his access to children and the internet for the next ten years, aiming to prevent any future offenses of this nature.
Turner’s criminal activities involved the use of malicious software, specifically a Remote Access Trojan (RAT), which allowed him to gain unauthorized access to the personal computers of his victims. From his residence in Cottenham, he monitored these women through their webcams, often without their consent. The extent of his intrusion was extensive; he not only watched live footage streamed directly from their webcams but also downloaded all files stored on their devices. This included sensitive personal photographs, videos, and even official identity documents, revealing a deeply invasive breach of privacy.
Further investigation revealed that Turner had also installed software on victims’ computers that streamed live images directly to his own device, enabling him to observe his victims in real-time. Police identified several victims, some of whom Turner had never met in person. Among these victims was a schoolgirl, raising concerns about the potential for further undiscovered victims. Authorities believe that there may be many more individuals who fell prey to Turner’s malicious activities, but who have yet to come forward or be identified.
During the course of the investigation, authorities uncovered records indicating that Turner had accessed numerous pornographic websites simultaneously while viewing the images and videos of his victims. This pattern of behavior suggests a disturbing combination of voyeurism and exploitation. Turner’s activities extended beyond mere voyeurism; records also showed that he had acted as a ‘salesman’ for malware distribution and had offered technical assistance to other aspiring cybercriminals through chat applications, effectively promoting and facilitating cybercrime.
Turner pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including voyeurism, possession of indecent images of a child, and various offenses under the Computer Misuse Act. Notably, he refused to provide his encryption key when requested by authorities, complicating efforts to fully investigate his digital footprint. His court appearance at Peterborough Crown Court on Monday, January 30, culminated in a sentencing of three years in prison. Additionally, Turner was issued a sexual harm prevention order that will restrict his access to children and the internet for the next ten years, aiming to prevent any future offenses of this nature.