REUBEN POLL FROM NORWICH JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN SWAFFHAM AND NORWICH
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Norwich community, a young man named Reuben Poll has been sentenced to prison for a series of heinous offences involving the sexual abuse of children.The crimes took place across the towns of Norwich and Swaffham, where Poll exploited social media platforms, particularly Facebook, to target vulnerable minors.
Reuben Poll, aged 20 and residing on Jewson Road in Norwich, adopted the alias 'Jordan Green' in order to establish a deceptive online persona.
His primary method of grooming involved befriending young children he knew through acquaintances, creating a false sense of trust and familiarity.
Poll’s manipulative tactics included inviting victims to help him with household chores, such as decorating his house, often taking them in his car without their parents' knowledge or consent.
This breach of trust was compounded by his online interactions, where he approached some victims directly through Facebook messages, gradually building a relationship that blurred the lines between friendship and exploitation.
Tragically, the abuse extended beyond emotional manipulation.
In at least one case, Poll crossed a serious boundary by inappropriately touching a child, further demonstrating his blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of his victims.
All the boys involved ranged in age from 11 to 16, and each of them confirmed that Poll was fully aware of their true ages, highlighting his calculated awareness and predatory intent.
Poll ultimately pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of child abduction, a sexual assault, and meeting a child following sexual grooming.
His guilty plea reflects the severity of his actions and the evidence presented against him during the trial.
As part of his sentencing, Poll will be required to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his activities post-release.
Detective Constable Carly Jermy, a representative of Norwich CID, expressed her views on the sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of Poll’s misconduct.
She stated, “Poll took advantage of his young victims’ trust and abused them despite knowing their ages.
He exploited every opportunity for his own benefit, leaving his victims traumatised by the events that unfolded.
In many cases, the victims’ parents were unaware of how their children were being approached or manipulated.” DC Jermy also issued a warning to parents, urging them to remain vigilant about their children’s online activities.
She remarked, “Many parents want to show they respect their children’s boundaries, but they must also be aware of the dangers lurking in the digital world.
Young people often believe they are talking to peers of their own age, but in reality, they may be communicating with much older individuals like Poll.” This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children from online predators and highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to bring offenders like Reuben Poll to justice, ensuring that victims receive the support they need to recover from such traumatic experiences.
