A guy, Leighton Gent, has been incarcerated for transmitting graphic photographs of himself to minors and soliciting obscene images in exchange.
Leighton Gent, hailing from Bristol, admitted guilt to 15 online offences and requested that numerous further sexual offences be considered.
The 28-year-old was sentenced to almost six years in prison at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, March 14.
Leighton Gent was apprehended at his residence in Bedminster in July 2024, following information received by the Internet Child Abuse Team over his upload of indecent photos of minors and his engagement in sexual correspondence with individuals under 15 years of age.
A forensic analysis of his electronic devices revealed that Gent had utilised several online platforms to engage in sexual communication with numerous minors globally, despite being aware of their underage status, and he had over 5,000 obscene photographs or films.
Leighton Gent pleaded guilty to following offences:
- Four counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child
- Three counts of making indecent images of children – one count each for categories A to C
- Three counts of distributing indecent images of children – one count each for categories A to C
- Two counts of attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act
- One count each of possession of extreme pornographic images; possession of prohibited images of a child; arranging and facilitating commission of a child sexual offence.
- Gent also asked for 29 further counts of attempting sexual communication with a child to be taken into consideration.
He was sentenced last week to six years and eight months in prison. He was also make subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
PC Laura Gaby, officer in the case, said: “Leighton Gent is a very dangerous individual, who has repeatedly targeted children, the most vulnerable in society.
“He groomed children online for his own sexual gratification.
“He directed children to engage in sexual activity and exposed them to sexual acts which will undoubtedly have a profound effect on them throughout their lives.
“This has been a complex and challenging investigation, but this demonstrates how seriously we take these matters and our enduring work to bring offenders to justice.”
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