Man blackmailed US teenager to get indecent images

A man who blackmailed a teenager from the US into sending indecent images has been jailed for 28 months.

Kevin Newson, 43, from Daventry, Northamptonshire, was arrested by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers in June 2022 after the 16-year-old girl reported him to authorities.

A review of his phone uncovered one Category B indecent video and 14 extreme images.

Newson appeared at Northampton Crown Court on 10 February, where he pleaded guilty to blackmail and inciting the sexual exploitation of a child.

He was sentenced to two years and four months in prison. Newson was also made the subject of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

His victim told investigators Newson had contacted her via online messaging platforms in late 2019 and early 2020, offering money in exchange for explicit images.

Newson sent her a screenshot of his UK bank account as proof of payment.

After initially complying, the victim refused to send more images. He then threatened to distribute the ones he already had to her family, friends, and school.

Chat logs retrieved from the victim's device contained messages from Newson and an online profile displaying his picture.

During police interviews, Newson answered "no comment" to all questions.

Phil Eccles, senior investigating officer from the NCA, said: "Newson groomed his victim into believing they were friends. When she sent indecent images, he blackmailed her into sending more.

"The NCA will continue to bring criminals like Newson to justice and pursue offenders who abuse children."

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