A complex police investigation, harnessing specialist digital techniques, has led to a dangerous sexual predator being jailed.
Detectives identified Benjamine Webb after reviewing a huge volume of indecent online content, and also matching photos of his distinctive tattoos taken in custody, with those in a video of a child being abused.
Webb, 30, from West Drayton, spent years gaining the trust of the victim’s families and was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court to 17 years and 9 months.
A number of children were safeguarded as a result of the officers’ work, and when he is eventually released from prison, Webb will be placed under stringent police management.
Detective Constable Samantha Thompson co-ordinated the work of specialist colleagues to use the right expertise which built the evidence against Webb. She said: “This was a truly horrific set of crimes. This man preyed on young children and exploited them.
“What he did was wicked, building up relationships with their parents and ruthlessly manipulating them to think that he was a person who could be trusted. The custodial sentence imposed is fully justified and richly deserved.
“Our role has been to give a voice to these innocent children. Having to break the news of what happened to their parents, was one of the most difficult jobs that any police officer will face in their work. I am grateful for them for their bravery and working with us to gather evidence against Webb, so we can now be sure that he can’t do this to any other children.
“It was a complicated investigation, involving different teams across the Met and it was thanks to our use of digital forensics and technology we were able to convict him.
“The Met is committed to protecting the most vulnerable in society and I would like to thank all the officers who worked tirelessly to put this evil predator behind bars.
“While our investigation was very thorough, we are aware there may be more victims who have yet to be identified. If there are any parents with concerns, we urge you to get in touch so we can give you and your children the support you need.”
