By Grâçia Ada Obi
A Derbyshire man who used social media to blackmail children as young as 10 into sending him indecent images of themselves was sentenced Wednesday October 23, 2024 for eight years.
National Crime Agency officers arrested Grant Derek Giblin of Willington, Derbyshire – after an investigation found he had been using social media apps to contact children between November 2021 and August 2023.
The 29-year-old would target the children, aged between ten and 16, and befriend them to gain their trust and encourage them to send him images of themselves.
Once he had received these, Giblin would blackmail his victims into performing sexual acts on themselves before again sending the content to him.
He was arrested by NCA officers in January 2024 and charged with offences including engaging in sexual communications with a child under 13 and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Giblin pleaded guilty to all offences at Derby Crown Court in July 2024. He was sentenced to eight years in prison at the same court (Wednesday, October 23). Giblin will have an extended licence period of a further eight years, be the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and be on the sex offenders register for life.
NCA operations manager Danielle Pownall said: “Grant Derek Giblin is a depraved offender, preying on vulnerable children online and making them feel as if they had no choice but to send him sexual images.
“His extensive crimes were committed only for his own sexual gratification, and with no thought to the children he was cruelly exploiting.”
Giblin pleaded guilty to all offences at Derby Crown Court in July 2024. He was sentenced to eight years in prison at the same court today (Wednesday, October 23). Giblin will have an extended licence period of a further eight years, be the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and be on the sex offenders register for life.
NCA operations manager Danielle Pownall said: “Grant Derek Giblin is a depraved offender, preying on vulnerable children online and making them feel as if they had no choice but to send him sexual images.
“His extensive crimes were committed only for his own sexual gratification, and with no thought to the children he was cruelly exploiting.
“Children are often frightened or embarrassed to report this has happened to them online, but they are not to blame and help and support is available.”