A shop worker who called himself "your worst nightmare" as he preyed on 11 girls online has been jailed for three years. Cameron Stevens targeted the children both here and America from his then home in Glasgow's Pollok.
The twisted 23 year-old loner threatened to "leak" a photo of one victim unless she continued to agree to his sick demands. Stevens yesterday returned to the High Court in Glasgow having pled guilty in July to 14 sex offences charges.
His lawyer had asked for an alternative to jail for him to address his offending and "complex" personal issues. But, Lady Stacey concluded that a prison-term was the only "suitable" sentence.
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The judge told Stevens: "What you did has consequences for the young children involved. This is not some victimless case.
"I have to express society's disapproval for what you did. We know that young girls go on the internet and we need to protect them."
Stevens will be supervised for a further two years on his release. The charges mainly consisted of him communicating with underage girls online and getting them to carry out indecent acts.
The pervert preyed on the girls - aged between nine and 15 - via social media. This included the chat app Kik - with an account found on his iPad under the name "Your worst nightmare".
Prosecutor Chris McKenna said: "Stevens contacted females, who were not known to him. After establishing a rapport, he incited them to carry out sexual acts (as well) as sending (him) moving and still images. He adopted the dominant role and sought to exploit the young females."
He was initially charged in August 2019 after the accessing of indecent images was linked to an address where he lived. But, a further police probe went on to reveal the scale of his offending.
Mr McKenna said two of the girls were identified and both lived in Scotland. However, the others are only known by online "usernames" although it is thought they stay in the United States.
Detectives examined the iPad and a mobile phone belonging to Stevens discovering a "large volume of material". Mr McKenna told the hearing it emerged Stevens had asked victims for "verification photographs" to prove they were actually children.
Much of what Stevens asked the girls to do is too graphic to explain in detail. However, he demanded one forwarded him more photos, but she said she "did not want to carry out his instruction".
Mr McKenna said: "He responded by threatening to leak an image she had sent him and saying that he knew how to track and locate people."
Police discovered in total more than 100 indecent photos and video clips. The court earlier heard Stevens had been diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome and Autism.
Edith Forrest, defending, yesterday said: "These offences stem from his desire to have friends. His father reports his only contact with others was via the internet.
"He was engaging with others online who were encouraging him to get involved in this type of behaviour."
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