Face of vile predator who posed as teen to prey on Midland schoolboys

A vile predator who posed as a teenager online to seduce boys has been jailed as police branded his crimes "deplorable." Sex offender Ian Cheetham used social media channels to build conversations with children.

The 39-year-old, of no fixed address, contacted young teenagers and engaged in explicit sexual messages and activity. Police detectives found evidence of him sharing images and videos with boys all aged under 15.

He had lied he was a teenager himself as he "took advantage of their vulnerabilities", West Midlands Police said. After seizing devices, the force also found he was in possession of more than 70 indecent photos

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DC Louisa Scarlin, from the force's public protection unit, said: "Cheetham took advantage of young boys for his own sickening gratification as he preyed on their age and innocence.

"He lied he was a teenager himself to help build up conversations with them. There can be no justification for such deplorable behaviour."

Cheetham was convicted of engaging in sexual communication with a child, inciting sexual activity, causing a child to watch a sexual act and making indecent images. These took place between December 2021 and April 2023.

He was sentenced to four years and eight months imprisonment at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, November 4. He will then be on extended licence for over four years.

Cheetham was also put on an indefinite sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

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