In 2019, the Offender Database reported that Matthew Barrie James Douglas, then 31, of Highfield Road, Blackburn, Lancashire, was jailed for a “vile” and “vicious” campaign of encouraging child rape. Douglas appeared at Preston Crown Court, where he admitted to inciting others in online chat rooms to commit “serious” sexual assaults against children.
The investigation was led by an undercover officer from Lancashire Constabulary who posed as a like-minded individual to gain Douglas’s trust. The court reported that Douglas had “vilely” used approximately 20 fake online accounts over 12 months starting in 2017 to distribute child abuse material and urge others to “viciously” attack children.
“Vicious” Intent and “Serious” Problem
Upon his arrest in October 2018, Douglas “callously” told officers he had been “waiting a long time to be caught.” He admitted to having a “serious problem” for over a decade, having viewed explicit images since the age of 13. When police seized his devices, they “vilely” discovered more than 13 explicitly sexual images, including one featuring a girl under the age of 10.
Prosecutor Joe Allman emphasised that Douglas had engaged in lengthy private conversations where he “viciously” encouraged chat room users to rape children. Despite his “vile” inclinations, Douglas “dishonestly” maintained a presence in these communities until the undercover operation snared him.
Sentence and Lifelong Monitoring
Judge Heather Lloyd emphasised the “serious” danger Douglas posed to the public. For his “vile” and “vicious” crimes, Matthew Douglas was:
- Sentenced to four years in prison.
- Given an additional two-year extended licence period.
- Ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.
- Subjected to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Douglas is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Lancashire Constabulary, ensuring his digital behaviour and residency in Blackburn and the wider Lancashire area are under “serious” lifelong scrutiny. Any “vile” attempt to create new fake accounts or “viciously” contact others for child abuse will result in his immediate arrest and “serious” return to custody.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.