FOLKESTONE SEX OFFENDER STEVEN SKELTON SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR CHILD EXPLOITATION AND ONLINE ABUSE

A man from Folkestone, identified as Steven Skelton, has been handed a lengthy prison sentence after a series of disturbing crimes involving the exploitation and abuse of children through online platforms. The case highlights the serious nature of his offenses and the efforts of law enforcement to combat online child exploitation.

Skelton, aged 34, was taken into custody following a police raid on his property located on Canterbury Road in Folkestone on August 10, 2020. During the search, officers from Kent Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) recovered two mobile phones and an electronic tablet. These devices contained a significant amount of indecent material involving children, which was a key element in building the case against him.

Investigators uncovered evidence indicating that Skelton had repeatedly searched the internet for indecent images of children. The digital evidence revealed that he had amassed over 230 videos, many of which depicted victims as young as seven years old. These videos were streamed live on a website that facilitated such content between 2019 and 2020. The platform included a chat room where viewers could join and watch the videos, and it featured a digital gifting system. This system allowed users to purchase virtual gifts, such as unicorns and gems, which were used to encourage and manipulate vulnerable young individuals into sharing explicit videos and images.

Further investigation showed that Skelton actively interacted with children on the platform. He used his bank card to buy digital coins, which he traded within the website’s ecosystem. Evidence also included recordings of conversations on social media where Skelton engaged in sexual dialogue with a girl, encouraging her to share indecent images and videos. Additionally, one of his mobile phones contained a text conversation from December 2017 with a 13-year-old child. The messages exchanged were sexual in nature, and authorities were able to identify and safeguard the victim from Kent.

The severity of Skelton’s offenses was underscored by the nature of the material found. Over 70 of the images and videos in his possession were classified as Category A, indicating the most serious level of indecency. Skelton faced multiple charges, including three counts of taking indecent images of a child, two counts of possessing such images, ten counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of sexual communication with a child.

In court, Skelton admitted to the charges against him. His sentencing resulted in a prison term of ten years. Furthermore, he will be required to register as a sex offender for life and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which aims to restrict his activities and prevent further offenses.

Commenting on the case, Christina Rookes, an officer from POLIT, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome. She stated, “We are pleased that despite not being able to identify the online victims, our team has been able to bring this offender to justice, and play a part in protecting as many young people as we can, wherever they may be.”