AARON FINNIE'S SHOCKING ONLINE PREDATION IN PAIGNTON AND DEVON

In June 2017, Aaron Finnie, a resident of Paignton, was scheduled for release from custody on June 14th after serving time related to his previous offenses. However, his criminal activities concerning online sexual harassment and exploitation of underage girls date back to at least November 2014, when he was first brought to justice.

Finnie, then 20 years old, became notorious for his disturbing behavior on social media platforms, particularly Snapchat, Facebook, and WhatsApp. He targeted young girls aged between 13 and 15, luring them into sending explicit images through persistent messaging and emotional manipulation. His method involved initially befriending girls on Facebook, then persuading them to continue their conversations on Snapchat, where images are not permanently recorded, making it easier for him to exploit their trust.

He managed to entrap a total of 11 girls in this manner, coercing them into sharing indecent photographs or videos. The police investigation revealed that Finnie had spent countless hours trawling social networks for potential victims, especially those living near his home in Devon, with a particular focus on the Paignton area. Authorities found extensive evidence of his online activities, including 7,000 pages of Facebook messages stored on his computer, indicating a pattern of sexualized conversations and attempts to meet girls in person.

Finnie’s predatory tactics extended beyond online messaging. He attempted to arrange physical meetings and sleepovers with some of the girls. On one occasion, he turned up uninvited at an after-hours club and tried to take a 15-year-old schoolgirl home with him. His actions prompted staff to escort him off the premises. During these interactions, he employed emotional blackmail, threatening to commit suicide and even sending one girl a disturbing image of himself holding a gun to his head, aiming to manipulate her into compliance.

Despite being twice bailed with strict conditions not to contact minors online, Finnie continued his offending behavior until he was finally remanded in custody earlier this year. His criminal record includes eight counts of sending indecent messages, six counts of causing underage girls to send him explicit images, and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, sentenced Finnie to three years in prison. The judge also ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which grants authorities the ability to monitor his internet use upon his release. In his sentencing remarks, the judge emphasized the gravity of Finnie’s offenses, stating, “You befriended 11 girls who were under 16 online and asked them to send you indecent photographs, despite knowing their ages. You also sent indecent images of yourself. You threatened to commit suicide and sent a picture of you holding a gun to your head. Can you imagine the stress that would have been placed on a young girl? She must have been very, very distressed.”

Prosecutor Joss Ticehurst detailed the extent of Finnie’s online misconduct, revealing that he had engaged in sexualized conversations with numerous girls, seeking to meet them in person. He described how Finnie’s communications often involved explicit images, including pictures of his erect penis, and how he actively sought photographs from the girls in return. The police found evidence of these interactions across multiple social media platforms, with Finnie making numerous friend requests and maintaining simultaneous conversations of a sexual nature.

Finnie’s defense, represented by Jeffrey Segan, argued that his client was of below-average intelligence and exhibited immature behavior, which contributed to his compulsive actions. The defense also highlighted that Finnie had cooperated with police, providing information that helped trace many of the victims, and suggested that he should undergo community-based treatment for sex offenders rather than face imprisonment.

Overall, Finnie’s case underscores the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilance among social media users, especially young girls. His actions have left a lasting impact on his victims and serve as a stark reminder of the need for strict monitoring and intervention in cases of online sexual exploitation.