SHOCKING CRIME: MARK HUGHES OF SKELMERSDALE SENTENCED FOR ONLINE CHILD ABUSE AND PERVERTED STREAMS

In April 2019, a disturbing case emerged involving Mark Hughes, a 28-year-old man from Windrows, Skelmersdale, who engaged in heinous online activities that exploited and abused young children. Hughes was found to have directed and instructed minors in Lancashire and across the globe to perform sexual acts during live internet streams, which he recorded from his residence in West Lancashire. His actions not only involved direct communication with the victims but also facilitated a disturbing online environment where other paedophiles sent 'rewards' such as stickers and emojis to the children, encouraging further abuse.

One particularly vile video, streamed on the social media platform Live.Me, featured two young girls aged between six and eight. In this video, the girls were coerced into exposing themselves, with the stream attracting over 100 live viewers at the time. Another stream, which garnered an audience of approximately 1,200 viewers, depicted older girls being encouraged to use household objects like bottles, hairbrushes, and toothbrushes in acts of child abuse carried out in real-time. These videos exemplify the horrifying extent of Hughes's online activities.

Hughes's criminal record includes ten victims, all aged between six and 15, with one of the victims having learning difficulties. The severity of his crimes was underscored by the judge, Philip Parry, who presided over the case at Preston Crown Court. Hughes was sentenced to an extended term of 11 years in prison, with an additional three years on licence. During sentencing, Judge Parry emphasized the danger Hughes posed, stating, “The more they were abused — the longer they remained online to be abused — the more likely they were to be rewarded. You are, in my judgement, a very dangerous man.”

Furthermore, the judge criticized a probation report that had suggested a community order as a suitable punishment, dismissing it as inadequate given the gravity of Hughes's crimes. He also condemned a letter Hughes had written on the day of his sentencing, describing it as “pathetic,” highlighting the seriousness with which the court viewed his actions.

Investigations revealed that Hughes had been in contact with over 60 young girls through online platforms, further illustrating the widespread nature of his offending. Hughes pleaded guilty to nine counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, six counts of making indecent images, and one count of possessing an extreme image, marking a significant conviction for online child exploitation and abuse.