A former firefighter has been sentenced to seven years in prison for exploiting children online and paying them to send explicit images and videos.
Robert Stevenson, 31, from Long Eaton, was found guilty of multiple offences, including inciting the sexual exploitation of children and making indecent photographs of minors. He was sentenced at Derby Crown Court on September 27.
The investigation began after a 15-year-old girl reported to police that Stevenson had threatened to post an explicit picture of her online. Stevenson had initially contacted the teenager via Instagram, offering £100 for explicit photos, before moving their conversation to Snapchat. He falsely claimed to be 17 years old during these interactions.
Upon his arrest, analysis of Stevenson’s devices revealed he had been messaging numerous underage girls across the country. His bank records showed multiple payments made to several of these victims in exchange for explicit content. In one instance, Stevenson sent a photo of himself in a firefighter uniform to a victim, claiming to be 19 years old. This deception was part of a pattern of behaviour where he would use social media sites, messaging young girls with offers of money for explicit photos.
Detective Sergeant Sophie Draycott, Child Sexual Exploitation Supervisor, stated, “His behaviour was appalling and repeated. I am pleased that he has now been brought to justice for his crimes and is serving a prison sentence.
In addition to his jail term, Stevenson was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the sex offenders register.
