Paedophile Steven Skelton Busted for Horrific Online Child Abuse
Steven Skelton, 34, was arrested after a police raid on his home in Canterbury Road on 10 August 2020. Officers seized two mobile phones and a tablet, all loaded with indecent images of children.
Shocking Evidence of Online Exploitation Uncovered
Kent Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) found Skelton had repeatedly searched for illegal material online. They discovered more than 230 videos showing victims as young as seven live streaming themselves on a sinister website between 2019 and 2020.
The site included a chat room and a “gifting” feature, where viewers bought digital gifts like unicorns and gems. This exploitative system encouraged vulnerable children to continue streaming.
Skelton was caught interacting with children believed to be from multiple countries. He used his bank card to buy digital coins, trading them on the site to fuel abuse.
Disturbing Chats Reveal Full Predator Profile
One phone contained recorded conversations where Skelton engaged in explicit sexual chats with a girl, urging her to share indecent images and videos. Another phone showed texts with a 13-year-old from December 2017, with officers intervening to protect the victim.
More than 70 images and videos in his possession were classified as category A — the most serious kind of child abuse material.
Justice Delivered: Skelton Sentenced and Registered for Life
At Canterbury Crown Court on 6 August 2021, Skelton admitted multiple charges, including taking indecent images, possessing illegal content, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and sexual communication with a child.
He was sentenced and will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life. Skelton is also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
“Skelton has shown he is a prolific predatory offender targeting vulnerable children worldwide, enabled by the borderless internet,” said investigating officer Christina Rookes from POLIT.
“Despite not identifying all online victims, our team brought this offender to justice and helped protect as many young people as possible.”
