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Leeds Predator Justin Swaddle Jailed for Abusing 117 Victims as a Teenager
The National Crime Agency said Swaddle used threats and blackmail to coerce victims worldwide, including 8 in the UK, into self-harm and sexual activity.
- Justin Swaddle, a Leeds man, was sentenced today to two years in prison for forcing 117 victims into sexual activity and self-harm, with a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and mandatory sex offender registration.
- West Yorkshire Police arrested Swaddle in October 2023, prompting a National Crime Agency investigation in January 2024 after discovering he operated within a 'Com' group—an international online community where members coerce victims into self-harm and sexual abuse.
- Analysis of Swaddle's digital devices revealed he used aliases 'Epstein', 'Rugen', and 'Moscow' on Snapchat, Telegram, and Discord to target 117 female victims aged 13 to 17 worldwide; eight were in the UK, including a 17-year-old who met him on Discord in November 2022.
- Seized Telegram messages showed Swaddle coerced children into abusing younger children while threatening to leak intimate images, prompting the NCA to coordinate with law enforcement from the USA, Canada, Australia, Norway, and New Zealand to safeguard victims.
- While Com group membership remains relatively small, the impact on victims is 'high and long-lasting', according to NCA Operations Manager Danielle Pownall, who said Swaddle 'targeted young and vulnerable victims all over the world' for popularity with peers online.
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'Dangerous' Leeds predator Justin Swaddle jailed for abusing 117 victims as a teenager
Justin Swaddle groomed girls across the world as part of an online abuse group and was found to have pictures of his victims with self-harm injuries - including images of his aliases carved into their skin.
·United Kingdom
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Total News Sources8
Leaning Left1Leaning Right2Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
14%
C 57%
R 29%
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