ASHLEY BOURTON SENTENCED IN OXFORDSHIRE FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND ONLINE PREDATION
Ashley Bourton, a 25-year-old man from Wigod Way, Wallingford, in Oxfordshire, has been handed an eight-year prison sentence following a series of disturbing online predatory behaviors targeting minors.The sentencing took place at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, February 23, amid a case that highlighted the dangers posed by online predators and the efforts of dedicated child protection groups to combat such threats.
Prosecutor Steven Attridge outlined the details of the case, revealing that Bourton was actively engaging in illicit communications with what he believed to be underage girls across various digital platforms, including chatrooms and messaging apps like WhatsApp.
The investigation uncovered that Bourton had been messaging multiple fake accounts created by four different online child advocacy groups: Justice For Kids, No More Secrets, Innocence From The Shadows, and Secrets and Lies Confronted.
These groups had set up profiles mimicking young girls aged between 13 and 15 to lure predators and gather evidence.
One of the fake profiles, named 'Lucy Jane,' was used by Bourton to send explicit videos of himself masturbating, under the false assumption that he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl.
He used the username 'Playboy25' on Facebook during these exchanges.
Another account, operated by the East Midlands Specialist Unit and pretending to be a girl named 'Carrie,' caught Bourton making disturbing sexual remarks, including asking her if she would ask to use his genitalia if he were her father.
Additionally, a profile called 'Freya,' claiming to be a 14-year-old girl, was used by the group 'Secrets and Lies Confronted' to record Bourton threatening to take his own life if she did not send nude photographs.
These interactions culminated in Bourton being arrested on May 22, during which authorities discovered search terms on his phone indicating he had been seeking indecent images of children.
The evidence painted a clear picture of a man deeply involved in online child exploitation.
It was also revealed that Bourton had a prior conviction from April 2021 for sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl, along with other child sex offenses, underscoring a pattern of disturbing behavior.
His history and the nature of his recent actions led the court to classify him as a 'dangerous' and 'high risk offender.' During the hearing, Bourton’s defense attorney, Gordana Austen, argued that her client suffers from significant physical and mental health issues, including autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, and depression.
She described him as living a very isolated and lonely life, claiming that his difficulties in forming relationships with adults led him to seek communication with children, which he found easier.
Judge Michael Gledhill, presiding over the case, emphasized the severity of Bourton’s actions and his dangerousness.
He sentenced him to five years in prison, with an additional three-year extended period, reflecting the court’s assessment of the risk Bourton poses to society.
The judge’s remarks underscored the importance of protecting children from individuals like Bourton, who exploit vulnerabilities and pose ongoing threats to minors in the digital age.
