A Merseyside dad has made grim history as the first person jailed under the UK’s new Online Safety Act for encouraging a child to self-harm. Karl Davies created six fake online personas to groom and abuse a 13-year-old schoolgirl, earning himself a 20-year sentence at Manchester Crown Court.
Catfish Mastermind Baffles Police
Davies launched his sick scheme in October 2023, pretending to be a teenage boy named “Ben” on Discord and Snapchat. He soon rolled out five more fake accounts, each with a different character designed to confuse and control the girl. Detectives initially thought six separate men were involved — but all were Davies in disguise.
- Some fake ‘men’ threatened the victim, while others “warned” her against those threats to deepen the manipulation.
- He coerced her into sending sexual photos and videos, then pressured her to self-harm and keep a record.
“He was putting her in a position where she was scared,” said Detective Sergeant Rob Griffiths, who led the probe. “Ultimately it was all Karl Davies, and this was just a sophisticated way of controlling a young girl.”
‘Saviour’ Account Tightens Davies’s Grip
One persona, “Mark,” acted as a fake ‘saviour’ offering protection from the other fake men—classic grooming to make the girl feel trapped and reliant. The abuse went from online horror to real life last summer when Davies started meeting her in person.
On one chilling occasion, he brought a razor blade and told the girl to self-harm. Police found the blade and her scrunchie in his room when he was arrested.
Double Life Unmasked by Wife’s Suspicion
Davies led a double life, hiding his depraved behaviour from his wife and kids while pretending to work away. His wife’s suspicions led her to call a phone number she found—and a child answered. The horrific truth was exposed, triggering his arrest.
“It’s extremely concerning that Karl by all accounts is a family man,” said DS Griffiths. “He holds down a full-time job. And then on the other side of it, online he is a completely different person.”
Historic Conviction Under Online Safety Act
This is the UK’s first conviction under the 2023 Online Safety Act for encouraging a child to self-harm—a brand-new offence. Prosecutors warn that online grooming and abuse are on the rise, often involving piles of distressing evidence.
“We see a lot of cases where the victim is as young as this,” said Crown Prosecution Service’s Zoe Becker. “This type of abuse can take a massive toll on everyone involved.”
Warning to Parents and Kids
This terrifying case shines a light on how predators weave complex fake identities online to trap youths. Social media and chat apps put children at risk out of sight of their mums and dads. Experts urge families to keep open talks about online friends and remember even “safe” sites can hide danger.
Help and Support Contacts
- Samaritans (UK): 116 123 or [email protected]
- US Helpline: 1 (800) 273-TALK
