SCARBOROUGH MAN OLIVER JAMES ANGLESMITH CAUGHT IN ONLINE CHILD PREDATION SCANDAL

A disturbing case involving a man from Scarborough, Oliver James Anglesmith, has come to light as authorities reveal his role as an online predator targeting vulnerable children through various digital platforms.

The investigation uncovered that Anglesmith engaged in manipulative and coercive tactics to exploit young victims, primarily through chatrooms and social media sites such as Snapchat. He employed emotional blackmail and fabricated stories to lure children into trusting him, often falsely claiming they were 16 years old to lower their defenses.

Once he gained their confidence, Anglesmith would pressure them into sending explicit images, threatening harm to himself if they refused. His tactics were calculated and malicious, designed to exploit the innocence and trust of minors.

The case came to a head in May 2024 when concerned parents reported suspicious activity involving their children, prompting a police investigation. This inquiry led to the arrest of Anglesmith and the discovery of multiple child victims across the country, highlighting the widespread nature of his predatory behavior.

During court proceedings at York Crown Court, Anglesmith pleaded guilty to three counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child. He was subsequently sentenced to four years and four months in prison, a measure deemed appropriate given the severity of his offenses.

In addition to his prison sentence, Anglesmith admitted to failing to comply with the Sex Offenders Register notification requirements by neglecting to register a mobile phone, which is a legal obligation for convicted offenders. The court also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to restrict his future activities and protect the public.

Detective Constable Steve Monty, who led the investigation, described Anglesmith as 'particularly manipulative' and emphasized that he is an online predator now 'rightfully back behind bars.' He further explained, “Anglesmith was especially manipulative and used emotional blackmail in an attempt to trick children into sending sexual images of themselves. He fabricated emotional stories to initially gain their trust and then threatened to cause serious harm to himself if they did not comply.”

The police praised the vigilance of parents and the efforts of the Victim Identification Unit, which played a crucial role in uncovering the victims and bringing Anglesmith to justice. This case underscores the importance of awareness and proactive measures in safeguarding children from online predators.