Nantwich man jailed for online sex offences involving children

A man, originally from from Nantwich, who used social media to blackmail children into sending him indecent images of themselves has been jailed.

Ethan Mason appeared at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday 9th September, where he was sentenced to four years in prison.

The 22-year-old, now of Hyacinth Court in Newcastle-under-Lyme, was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely and handed indefinite restraining orders in relation to the victims.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent images of children, three counts of engaging in sexual communications with a child, distribution of indecent images if children, causing a child to engage in sexual activity and sending a photograph of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation.

The investigation began in February 2023 when the mother of a teenage girl in Manchester contacted police reporting that her 12-year-old daughter had been engaging with a man on Snapchat who was using the username ‘CHESHIREPOLICE1’.

During the conversations the user had threatened the victim, stating that if she didn’t send him naked images of herself, then he would come to her house. Fearing for what he may do, the victim sent a number of images and videos of herself to the offender.

Following the reports an investigation was initially launched by Greater Manchester Police, who traced the account and identified Ethan Mason as the offender, who was residing in Cheshire.

The investigation was subsequently passed to Cheshire Police and on Wednesday 14th August 2024, officers conducted a warrant at his former home on Glover Drive, Willaston.

Mason was arrested at the scene and during the search officers located several mobile phones along with a set of police style handcuffs, several pairs of children’s shoes and a knife.

In his interviews Mason answered no comment to all the questions put to him by officers and he was subsequently released on conditional bail while his mobile devices were sent for further analysis.

While on bail he spoke to a neighbour about his arrest, admitting that he had blackmailed a 14-year-old girl using snapchat. He also made further admissions in relation to blackmailing second teenage girl along with possession of indecent images.

His neighbour posted the disclosure on social media, which resulted in Mason being moved to other addresses while the investigation progressed.

During analysis of his mobile phones, officers recovered 11 category B and C images, along with four category B videos.

Officers also identified the second victim as a 14-year-old girl in Lancashire. Within the messages sent to the teenager, Mason stated he was going to post all over social media that the victim had sexually assaulted him if she didn’t send him the images requested.

After speaking to the teenager, officers also identified a third victim, a 14-year-old-girl from Lancashire, who had also been groomed by Mason.

After gathering a full file of evidence, Mason was subsequently charged in relation to the allegations.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Corinne Kinvig, of the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team at Cheshire Police said:

“Engaging in communications with young people solely for the purpose of sexual gratification is truly abhorrent, and I welcome the sentence handed Ethan Mason today.

“Mason was fully aware that his victims were children, but he purposefully chose to target them with intimidating and threatening messages, even going as far as using an account called ‘CheshirePolice1’. He believed that hiding behind a screen would allow him to avoid detection, but he was wrong.

“Thanks to courage of the victims who spoke out about what had happened, along with the work of the dedicated team of officers here at the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team, Mason’s identity has now been revealed, and he has now been held accountable for his actions.

Detective Constable Corinne Kinvig, added:

“While Mason is now behind bars, unfortunately we know that there are many other offenders who are using social media to prey on young children.

“That is why we want all parents to speak to their children about what they are doing on their phones, what apps they’ve got installed and who they’re communicating with.                                                             

“While we understand that this can be a difficult conversation, it essential that young people understand that it’s not normal to view or share inappropriate images and videos online, not only is it really dangerous and harmful, but also once an image has been sent, they never know where it will end up.”

Further advice and support for parents in relation to online child abuse is available on the Cheshire Police website at: 

https://www.cheshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/caa/child-abuse/online-child-abuse/ 

...and at: 

https://www.getsafeonline.org/

Pictured - Ethan Mason now of Hyacinth Court in Newcastle-under-Lyme.