HARRY SLOAN FROM LUDLOW INVOLVED IN SEX OFFENDER CASE AT SHREWSBURY CROWN COURT

In a serious case heard at Shrewsbury Crown Court, Harry Sloan, a 19-year-old resident of Ludlow, was found guilty of multiple sexual offences involving minors. The court was informed that Sloan had engaged in a disturbing pattern of online predatory behavior, which included posing as a girl to manipulate and threaten young boys.

According to the prosecution, Sloan used social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat to establish contact with his victims. He would initially send them images of girls to lure them into sending indecent photographs of themselves. The court heard that Sloan’s tactics involved pretending to be female, which allowed him to gain the trust of 14 and 15-year-old boys, some of whom he threatened with exposure if they did not comply with his demands.

One of the most alarming aspects of Sloan’s conduct was his blackmail of a 14-year-old boy. Prosecutors revealed that Sloan demanded the boy pay £1,000 to prevent him from posting an indecent photo online and sharing it with the boy’s friends. The victim was also subjected to further threats over the phone, where Sloan insisted on additional images and continued to intimidate him.

Authorities became aware of Sloan’s activities after the victim confided in his mother, prompting police to intervene. During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized Sloan’s laptop, uncovering more than 100 indecent images of children stored on the device. The chat records recovered from Sloan’s accounts also showed that he had made numerous requests for indecent images from multiple individuals.

Sloan’s criminal record includes admissions to causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sending malicious communications, blackmail, making and distributing indecent images of children, and possessing indecent images. These charges span from May 2014 to October of the previous year. He pleaded guilty to all charges during earlier court proceedings.

Legal representatives for Sloan, including Mr. Stephen Scully, highlighted concerns about his risk of reoffending, describing him as being at “high risk of further sexual offending.” It was also noted that Sloan’s mother was actively involved in ensuring he no longer had access to the internet, in an effort to prevent further misconduct.

Judge Jonathan Gosling, presiding over the case, announced that Sloan must serve at least half of his four-year sentence before being eligible for release on licence. Additionally, Sloan will be registered as a sex offender for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community. The sentencing was scheduled to be finalized at the same court session.