Paedophile, 36, jailed for posing as a child and amassing thousands of indecent images

A 36-year-old man has been sentenced to more than 21 years in prison after using social media platforms such as Snapchat and TikTok to pose as a teenager and groom multiple children for sexual exploitation. Josh Scott, from Hanham, South Gloucestershire, was found to have amassed nearly 10,000 indecent images of children, including some classified as extremely serious. Scott used his online persona to contact over 40 children, many as young as seven, encouraging them to send intimate photos and videos. Police confirmed that he recorded the content and responded with videos depicting explicit sexual acts. His devices contained 9,200 indecent images, with 1,969 categorized as the most severe. Additional findings included 3,344 category B images and 3,887 category C images, along with eight images of extreme pornography. The youngest child depicted in the material was approximately three months old, though most were between eight and 14 years of age. Scott was initially arrested in December 2025 on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with a child and inciting a girl under 13 to participate in sexual activities. Several of his electronic devices were seized and analyzed during the investigation. He was rearrested on May 14, 2026, over additional offenses for which he had already been convicted. At that time, he was remanded in custody pending further legal proceedings. The case came to a close on Thursday, August 13, 2026, when Scott was sentenced to 21 years and four months in prison at Bristol Crown Court. He will spend 13 years behind bars, followed by supervised release. As part of his sentencing, Scott received a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He admitted guilt to all charges, which included taking indecent photographs of children, possessing extreme pornographic materials, and inciting children to engage in or view sexual activity. During the trial, investigators revealed that Scott had exposed himself to a child under the age of 10 on TikTok. This act, combined with his extensive collection of illegal imagery, underscored the severity of his criminal behavior. Authorities emphasized that Scott’s actions were motivated solely by personal gratification and that they represent a grave violation of trust and safety for minors. Detective Constable James Lester, from the Internet Child Abuse Team, commented on the case, stating that the investigation and subsequent conviction reflect the seriousness with which such offenses are addressed. He noted that Scott’s conduct involved grooming and coercing very young children into harmful behaviors, which can have lifelong psychological effects. Lester praised the victims and their families for their courage in coming forward and assisting law enforcement in bringing the offender to justice. The victims and their families have been in regular contact with investigating officers, who have ensured they receive access to specialized support services. This ongoing engagement highlights the commitment of authorities to provide comprehensive care and protection for those affected by such crimes. The case serves as a stark example of the dangers posed by individuals who exploit digital platforms to target vulnerable children. It also underscores the necessity of vigilance and proactive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.