A Newmarket Paedophile Child Molester ‘sexual predator’, Matthew Edwards who sexually abused a youngster under the age of 13 was moreover discovered to have transmitted abhorrent obscene photographs of minors to other paedophiles online.
The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) notified law enforcement of a man’s online criminal activities, wherein he utilised internet platforms to transmit explicit communications and solicit sexualised photographs from underage females.
In October 2022, Matthew Edwards, currently residing in Newmarket, was apprehended at his residence by officers from Essex Police. A number of electronic devices were confiscated.
Indecent photographs and videos of minors, originating from 2019, were uncovered. Subsequent enquiries resulted in accusations of child sexual assault against the 41-year-old, who resided in the Uttlesford region at the period of his offences.
Matthew Edwards declined to respond to any enquiries during his initial interview. During his second interrogation, he presented a prepared statement in which he refuted allegations of sexually touching a youngster and asserted that the photographs he had captured were not of a sexual nature.
Matthew Edwards, residing on Lisburn Road in Newmarket, was indicted with:
- Three counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13 by touching;
- Three counts of taking and making indecent photographs of children (93 Cat A, 29 Cat Band, 271 Cat C);
- Take an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child;
- Distribute an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child;
- Attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity;
- Attempting to cause a child to watch sexual images;
- Nine counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child;
- Outraging public decency.
He acknowledged three charges of producing and possessing indecent photos and one charge of violating public decency, but refuted the remaining allegations.
Following a nine-day trial at Chelmsford Crown Court in June, he was convicted on the remaining 16 charges.
On Wednesday, August 13, Matthew Edwards was sentenced to 12 years at the same court, with eight years to be served in custody and the remaining on licence.
He will remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely and is subject to a perpetual Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
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