ALEXANDER CHEETHAM FROM PRESTON AND SHEFFIELD CAUGHT IN SHOCKING ONLINE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION SCANDAL

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Preston and Sheffield, Alexander Cheetham, a 22-year-old man with connections to both cities, has been found guilty of engaging in highly inappropriate and illegal online activities involving underage girls. The incident dates back to 2014 and 2015, during which Cheetham, then a student, used various social media platforms to initiate and maintain explicit conversations with minors.

Cheetham, who was residing on Douglas Road in Preston at the time, targeted three underage schoolgirls through social media apps, encouraging them to participate in sexual acts. His actions included exchanging explicit images and engaging in lewd conversations, some of which referenced school-related contexts, indicating a disturbing level of familiarity and predatory behavior. The authorities uncovered these exchanges after being alerted to a series of sexual messages circulating in an online chat room.

Following a thorough investigation, law enforcement officials arrested Cheetham. During the search of his residence and electronic devices, officers discovered a significant amount of illicit material, including 281 category C images of children, which were derived from 22 original images. Additionally, an extreme video involving a dog was found among the files. The evidence was stored on his computer and phone, and conversations were also retrieved from the Kick Messenger app.

The victims identified in this case include a 14-year-old girl in the UK, with whom Cheetham exchanged approximately 870 messages, as well as two American schoolgirls aged 14 and 15. Disturbingly, Cheetham asked one of the victims to take pictures up her skirt, further highlighting the severity of his misconduct.

Cheetham faced multiple charges, including three counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, possession of indecent images, and possession of an extreme image. He pleaded guilty to these charges in court. The case was heard at Preston Crown Court, where Judge James Adkin delivered the sentence. Recognizing the explicit nature of the conversations and the potential for rehabilitation, the judge decided against immediate imprisonment. Instead, Cheetham was handed a sexual harm prevention order, 180 hours of unpaid work, and a requirement to participate in a rehabilitation program.

Judge Adkin emphasized the seriousness of Cheetham’s actions, stating, “Those conversations were explicit. One made reference to being at school. Individuals who engage in highly sexualized conversations with children are usually sent to prison. In the circumstances, I believe it would better serve the public in the long term for the probation service to be rehabilitating you.” This case underscores the ongoing threat posed by online predators and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable minors from exploitation.