A 22-year-old man, Stuart Latham, who pretended to be a 14-year-old boy, has been convicted of targeting and deceiving numerous young girls on Snapchat. Latham, an unemployed individual, took advantage of his fake online identity as “Josh” to lure in his victims. He coerced the girls, aged between 12 and 15, into sending explicit images and videos by offering money or using threats of exposure.
Latham has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his crimes against 39 girls, including physical abuse of two victims. He accumulated a significant number of indecent images, some obtained through blackmail. His offenses, which occurred between 2023 and 2024, involved rape, blackmail, engaging in sexual communications, and possession of illicit material.
During the sentencing at Preston Crown Court, Judge Philip Parry described Latham as a dangerous predator lacking empathy. The court heard that Latham’s first victim, believing him to be 15 years old, reported their sexual relationship, leading to his arrest. The judge commended the bravery of the victims and their families for standing up to Latham.
Detective Sergeant Simon France of Greater Manchester Police highlighted the severity of Latham’s actions, labeling him as one of the most dangerous child predators he has encountered. Latham dedicated extensive time to his online activities from his home in Wigan, treating his actions as a full-time job. France emphasized the continuous predatory behavior exhibited by Latham, likening it to a relentless pursuit of children.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding young individuals from such threats.