JED COSSANS OF DUNDEE TARGETS YOUNG YOUTUBERS IN HORRIFIC SEXUAL GROOMING SCHEME
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Dundee, Jed Cossans, a 23-year-old man, has been found guilty of engaging in a series of heinous online grooming activities involving underage children on YouTube and other social media platforms.The case highlights a pattern of predatory behavior that persisted despite previous legal actions and bail conditions, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of the justice system in protecting vulnerable minors.
According to court records, Cossans targeted three young boys aged nine, 11, and 12, using their own YouTube channels to communicate and manipulate them into sending explicit images and videos.
The first victim, a 12-year-old boy, was contacted after Cossans had seen a video in which the boy had exposed himself.
Cossans then proceeded to ask the child to call him via video chat while naked, claiming it would be “kinda funny and sexy.” He further requested the boy to send nude videos and images of his penis on four separate occasions, even suggesting that the act be done as a “forfeit for not winning an online game.” In a shocking turn, Cossans and the boy agreed to exchange explicit photographs, but the stepfather of the victim discovered the chat logs, leading to police involvement and subsequent charges.
The second victim, an 11-year-old, was approached through a video chat where Cossans issued a series of dares, including seeing how many marshmallows he could fit into his mouth, putting on shorts without using his hands, and removing his underwear without taking off his shorts.
Cossans then encouraged the boy to continue these activities, which made the child uncomfortable but he complied, ultimately exposing his genitals on camera to confirm his adherence to the dares.
The third victim, a nine-year-old boy, was contacted via Instagram, where Cossans posed as a 16-year-old girl.
Initially, the conversation appeared innocent, but Cossans soon began to make inappropriate comments, telling the boy he was “kinda cute” and that “his friends were lucky to see him naked in the changing rooms.” He repeatedly asked for photographs of the boy’s private parts, including his abs, buttocks, and genitals, urging him to unzip his pyjamas and show his body.
The young boy refused to send any images, recognizing the inappropriate nature of the requests.
Throughout the investigation, Cossans admitted to sending sexual written communications to the children between June 24 and June 26, as well as on July 3 and 4 of the previous year, and again between February 10 and 12.
His defense argued that he was “confused and repressed regarding his sexuality” and that he was currently engaging in cognitive behavioral therapy as part of a community payback order.
Despite this, the court found the gravity of his offenses to warrant a custodial sentence.
Judge Linda Smith sentenced Cossans to 16 months in prison and imposed a 20-month supervised release order, which will require him to be monitored upon his release.
Additionally, Cossans was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, reflecting the serious nature of his crimes and the potential risk he poses to the community.
The court emphasized that given his previous conviction and the severity of his actions, only a custodial sentence was appropriate.
The case has once again cast a spotlight on the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of safeguarding children from exploitation in digital spaces.
