Depraved Emily Hedigan sexually attacked boy then sent videos to paedophile for cash

A Leeds woman carried out vile sexual abuse against a child and then shared the attacks in exchange for money.

Emily Hedigan, 21, of Broadlea Grove, Bramley, pleaded guilty to eight offences when she appeared at Leeds Crown Court on February 29. She repeatedly incited the young boy to engage in sexual activity, which she filmed and sent the sickening footage on to a man elsewhere in the country for cash.

Hedigan's depraved attacks has left the young boy, who was under the age of 13, traumatised. Her crimes were uncovered when a person discovered a video and pictures of the abuse on her mobile phone.

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A specialist safeguarding investigation was launched by West Yorkshire Police officers in Leeds on January 29. She was arrested and her phone was examined by expert digital forensic investigators who recovered video and still images of her sexually abusing the child on a number of occasions.

Further work by digital media investigators established that Hedigan had been sending the images to a man elsewhere in the country in exchange for money. She admitted the offences when interviewed but claimed she had been doing it under duress.

She was subsequently convicted of offences of causing or inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity, sexual touching of a boy aged under 13, taking, making and distributing indecent images of a child, and possession of cocaine.

She was sentenced to a total of four years and eight months imprisonment yesterday. She will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life and was also given a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Inspector Amy Spaven, of Leeds District Safeguarding Unit, said: “Hedigan was responsible for a sustained pattern of sexual abuse against this vulnerable young boy and shared images of that abuse for financial gain.

“Her actions will have had a significant traumatic impact on the victim that is likely to affect him for the rest of his life. We hope that seeing her held accountable and sent to prison will provide some reassurance.

“We always treat sexual offences of this nature very seriously and have specialist safeguarding officers who will support victims and their families throughout their investigations and the court process and do everything they can to get justice for them.”

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