MICHAEL COLE FROM NEWHAVEN CAUGHT IN SEX OFFENCE SCANDAL INVOLVING TEEN BOYS IN EAST SUSSEX

In June 2015, a man from Newhaven named Michael Cole was brought before Lewes Crown Court to face serious allegations related to sexual offences involving young boys from the Seahaven area. Cole, aged 30 at the time and unemployed, had previously pleaded guilty to a series of charges and was subsequently sentenced to a total of four years in prison. His conviction was accompanied by the imposition of a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which significantly restricts his access to children and the use of computers. Additionally, Cole was designated as a registered sex offender for life, marking him as a serious threat to the community.

The charges against Cole included 13 sexual offences, comprising 11 counts of inciting sexual activity with minors and two counts of possessing indecent images of children. The majority of the incitement offences—specifically ten—were committed through online contact, with one involving physical contact with a young boy. The investigation, led by Sussex Police and authorized by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), uncovered a disturbing pattern of online grooming and exploitation targeting teenagers in the Seahaven area.

Detective Constable Steve Shimmons provided details about the case, explaining that between May and October of the previous year, several teenage boys in the region were contacted via social media by an individual using the alias 'Jenny Lane' or 'jennylane1994.' This person claimed to be a 19 to 20-year-old woman from Essex who was planning to move to Brighton to study. The individual, who was later identified as Michael Cole, engaged the boys by requesting or sharing inappropriate images with them.

According to Detective Shimmons, all the victims believed they were communicating with an attractive young woman who made promises to send them naked photographs and even meet up. Once the boys sent images, Cole threatened to share them online unless they continued to send more. The investigation revealed that Cole used various social media platforms, including Facebook and Skype, to contact and manipulate the teenagers, sending out over 50 friend requests in total. Several boys came forward to report that they had been threatened with the posting of their images online if they refused to comply with Cole's demands.

One particularly disturbing incident involved Cole convincing a boy to meet 'his friend'—who was actually Cole himself—and engaging in sexual activity at Cole's residence. It became evident that Cole's primary motive was to collect explicit photographs of local boys for his own gratification. Most of the victims were heterosexual, which made Cole's efforts to deceive them into sending images especially calculated. When Cole discovered that one of the boys was gay, he immediately revealed his true identity in an attempt to meet that individual as well.

Detective Shimmons emphasized the importance of caution when engaging with unknown individuals online, especially vulnerable young people. He urged parents and children to scrutinize their social media friends lists and delete anyone they do not recognize. The case underscores the dangers posed by online predators like Cole, who pose a significant threat to youth safety. The authorities expressed their satisfaction that Cole has been brought to justice, and the severity of his sentence reflects the seriousness of his offences.

Earlier in May 2015, Cole, then aged 29, had admitted to similar sex offences against boys in the Seahaven area. His plea included charges of inciting sexual activity and possessing indecent images of children. The police investigation was prompted by appeals to teenagers in Seaford, Newhaven, and Peacehaven, who had been approached by a man claiming to be 'Jenny Lane.' Cole used social media platforms such as Facebook and Skype to contact over 100 teenagers, mainly boys aged between 13 and 17, threatening them into sending inappropriate images. The case highlights the ongoing risks associated with online grooming and the importance of vigilance among young people and their guardians.