LEICESTER MAN MATTHEW SMITH CAUGHT IN SHOCKING PLOY TO LURE TEEN GIRLS WITH FAKE PHOTOGRAPHY AND CHARITY FRAUD
In July 2015, a disturbing case emerged involving Matthew Smith, a 33-year-old man from Leicester, who engaged in a series of manipulative and predatory schemes targeting young girls.Smith attempted to deceive two 15-year-old girls by presenting himself as a professional photographer, offering them lucrative contracts worth £40,000 to pose for what he falsely claimed would be provocative photographs.
Smith’s deception was carried out through a fabricated Facebook profile, which he meticulously crafted to appear as that of a successful and reputable lensman.
His online persona was designed to lure vulnerable teenagers into his trap, exploiting their naivety and curiosity.
In addition to his online efforts, Smith approached teenage girls in person at a Leicester branch of McDonald's, where he targeted them in a public setting.
He approached them with the pretense of being a professional photographer and invited them to his so-called 'studio,' which was a complete fabrication.
To bolster his false identity, Smith showed the girls pornographic images, further attempting to entice them into posing for him.
He also used other people's professional photographs, which bore his own logo, to give an illusion of legitimacy.
To add credibility to his false credentials, Smith forged a photographic qualification certificate, along with fake business cards and credentials, all aimed at convincing his victims of his supposed expertise.
Leicester Crown Court was informed that Smith’s manipulative tactics extended beyond online and street approaches.
He also engaged in door-to-door solicitations, claiming to seek donations for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Wearing an official-looking lanyard and using fabricated sponsor forms, he attempted to solicit money from unsuspecting residents.
During one such encounter, he approached a 17-year-old girl, repeating his false identity as a glamour photographer and inviting her to pose for him, further demonstrating his predatory intent.
Smith pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of inciting child pornography involving girls under 18, and two counts of fraudulently seeking charity sponsorship.
His actions prompted a serious response from the court, leading to his sentencing to three years in prison.
Judge Philip Head, presiding over the case, delivered a stern warning during sentencing.
He detailed how Smith had deliberately targeted young girls, specifically mentioning an incident on August 29 of the previous year.
On that day, Smith took his laptop to McDonald's, where he waited for opportunities to approach teenage girls.
He identified two 15-year-olds alone and, under the guise of being a professional photographer, showed them provocative images of adult women, including one in a compromising pose exposing private parts.
Smith then offered them lucrative modelling contracts, claiming they could earn significant money, and handed out his fake business cards and Facebook profile, which he had carefully constructed to appear authentic.
Most of Smith’s online contacts were young women, and he had requested nude modeling from them, further illustrating his predatory behavior.
The judge emphasized that these actions were incitement rather than completed offenses but highlighted the danger Smith posed to teenage girls.
"You, as you are today, represent a real threat," Judge Head stated.
Prosecutor James Varley added that Smith’s approach to the two 15-year-olds in McDonald's involved offering them contracts with a total value of £40,000, including free lingerie, especially as one of his contracts was with the well-known retailer Ann Summers.
Regarding his charity work, Smith’s attempt to solicit donations for Macmillan Cancer Support was deemed a cover for meeting young women; he only managed to collect a mere £3, which was seen as a ploy rather than genuine charity work.
Mitigating the case, Sian Cutter noted that no physical contact was made and that although Smith’s actions were insulting and upsetting, no physical harm was inflicted.
She added that Smith was ashamed and embarrassed by his conduct.
As part of his sentence, Smith will be registered on the sex offender register for life.
Additionally, he was subjected to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, which grants authorities the authority to monitor his future computer use and restrict any unsupervised contact with females under 18, aiming to prevent further harm and protect potential victims.
