Cornwall teenager abused toddler nephew and sent footage to US paedophile
A 17-year-old from Cornwall sexually abused his 18-month-old nephew and sent footage of the sickening abuse to a paedophile in America, a court has heard.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Truro Crown Court on Friday as graphic details of the horrific offending were heard in open court.
The defendant, who sat with his head in his hands for most of the proceedings, performed sexual acts on the toddler, who in some footage could be heard referring to him as ‘dada’.
The defendant, who lives in west Cornwall, previously admitted four counts of sexual abuse of a child under 13 and two other counts associated with making images of the sexual abuse.
Prosecutor Heather Hope told Judge Simon Carr how the defendant grew up in a large family and stepped in to offer extra parental support and look after the child, Miss Hope saying he was “relied on and trusted as a babysitter”.
She said: “His interest in the victim became unhealthy and he would become moody and agitated if he was not permitted to look after him.
The victim became particularly attached to the defendant and on occasions called him 'daddy', which was noticeable, but there were no efforts to correct or to stop him.”
Miss Hope added how his arrest came about when US Homeland Security attended the address of a man in Pennsylvania.
The American man, who is still being detained in relation to other offences, was arrested and an examination of his phone revealed chat messages and indecent images shared with the defendant in Cornwall.
The Cornish predator was then arrested and further examination revealed a host of graphic media, including several obscene sex acts on the victim.
During one of the clips the child is heard to say ‘dada’.
Mitigating, Ramsay Quaife said that a doctor’s report stated the defendant fulfils the criteria for mild mental retardation, meaning he had arrested or incomplete development of the mind and previously recorded an IQ of 59. His IQ is said to have been consistent with mild to moderate learning difficulties.
Mr Quaife said: “He is a young man who suffered neglect and school was simply a no as the playground can be a cruel place. He was sent off to primary school when not even toilet trained.
“He could not cope with mainstream life and life for him is one frightening experience. Yes his motive was sexual gratification but there is also an element of pressure and encouragement to do what he was doing. He was effectively being egged on.
“Another motive was to keep a friendship, he didn’t have other friends and was virtually isolated.”
A 17-year-old from Cornwall sexually abused his 18-month-old nephew and sent footage of the sickening abuse to a paedophile in America, a court has heard.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Truro Crown Court on Friday as graphic details of the horrific offending were heard in open court.
The defendant, who sat with his head in his hands for most of the proceedings, performed sexual acts on the toddler, who in some footage could be heard referring to him as ‘dada’.
The defendant, who lives in west Cornwall, previously admitted four counts of sexual abuse of a child under 13 and two other counts associated with making images of the sexual abuse.
Prosecutor Heather Hope told Judge Simon Carr how the defendant grew up in a large family and stepped in to offer extra parental support and look after the child, Miss Hope saying he was “relied on and trusted as a babysitter”.
She said: “His interest in the victim became unhealthy and he would become moody and agitated if he was not permitted to look after him.
The victim became particularly attached to the defendant and on occasions called him 'daddy', which was noticeable, but there were no efforts to correct or to stop him.”
Miss Hope added how his arrest came about when US Homeland Security attended the address of a man in Pennsylvania.
The American man, who is still being detained in relation to other offences, was arrested and an examination of his phone revealed chat messages and indecent images shared with the defendant in Cornwall.
The Cornish predator was then arrested and further examination revealed a host of graphic media, including several obscene sex acts on the victim.
During one of the clips the child is heard to say ‘dada’.
Mitigating, Ramsay Quaife said that a doctor’s report stated the defendant fulfils the criteria for mild mental retardation, meaning he had arrested or incomplete development of the mind and previously recorded an IQ of 59. His IQ is said to have been consistent with mild to moderate learning difficulties.
Mr Quaife said: “He is a young man who suffered neglect and school was simply a no as the playground can be a cruel place. He was sent off to primary school when not even toilet trained.
“He could not cope with mainstream life and life for him is one frightening experience. Yes his motive was sexual gratification but there is also an element of pressure and encouragement to do what he was doing. He was effectively being egged on.
“Another motive was to keep a friendship, he didn’t have other friends and was virtually isolated.”