Bravery of young victims in cyber blackmail investigation sees sex offender sentenced
- LM News
- 45 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Four girls who came forward after being groomed and blackmailed by a stranger into providing indecent content of themselves have been praised for their bravery and courage.
Ben Dodd targeted the girls, aged 14 to 17, through social media and encouraged them to send him images and videos of a sexual nature.
He then blackmailed them into sending him more material by threatening to share the content with their friends and family.
On Friday 14 August he was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court for 15 offences after pleading guilty in March this year.
He was given a two-year custodial sentence, suspended for two years, 200 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation order.
He is also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 10 years.
Following the sentence of the 20-year-old, DC Heather North, officer in the case, wanted to praise the girls for having the courage to report Dodd to police and encourage any other victims to come forward.
It comes as Leicestershire Police recently began supporting the national campaign It Does Matter that aims to raise awareness of the importance of reporting non-contact sexual offences. These can often be early warning signs of escalating sexual violence.
DC North said:
“The courage these girls have shown in telling their parents and supporting a police investigation is remarkable. I would like to thank them and their families for their continued support and engagement throughout this extremely difficult process.
“I am immensely proud of each of them for their bravery and determination. It is because they chose to speak out we have been able to ensure a dangerous sex offender has been held accountable for the abuse and trauma he has caused these girls.
"We know many victims of online sexual offending, harassment and exploitation do not report what has happened to them because they fear they will not be believed or feel embarrassed about speaking out.
Through the It Does Matter campaign; we want people to understand that this behaviour is never acceptable and that reporting concerns can help protect others from harm.
“I believe there are more girls out there who have been groomed by Dodd and have been left feeling fearful of any repercussions if they told anyone. To them I would say, you are not alone and what has happened to you is nothing to be ashamed of.
Please talk to someone so you can get the help and support you need and report to the police so we can investigate any offences.”
Police investigation into Dodd’s offending
Police were first alerted to Dodd’s offending in December 2023, when a 17‑year‑old girl reported being persuaded by him to send an indecent image of herself in exchange for money after he befriended her on Facebook.
When she asked him to delete the picture he threatened to share it with her family and friends if she didn’t send more images and videos.
While he was being investigated for this offence, Leicestershire Police in May 2024, received another report of similar offences by an unidentified account on Snapchat.
Devon and Cornwall police also received a report in June 2024 from a 14-year-old concerning similar behaviour.
Checks carried out by police were quickly able to link these reports to Dodd and his home address in Wyville Road, Leicester.
Examination of Dodd’s digital devices further identified another girl, aged 16, from Staffordshire.
Dodd was found to have been screenshotting the images he received in order to keep them stored on his devices. During interactions with two of the girls he has also shared sexual images and videos of himself.
Dodd was charged with 22 offences which occurred between December 2022 and March 2025.
He pleaded guilty to 17 and the remaining five were discontinued by the CPS. He was sentenced to the below 15 offences on Friday after a further two were discontinued:
Nine counts of making indecent images of children
Two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child
Two counts of threatening to share an intimate photograph
Two counts of sending photographs or films of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation
DC North added: ““The investigation involved close collaboration with several police forces across the country, with victims identified in multiple locations.
“These girls were from across the UK yet the way in which Dodd interacted with the girls and groomed them for his own sexual gratification was very similar.
“He clearly believed what he was doing was working and because he was operating online he wouldn’t get caught or the girls he was blackmailing would be too frightened to tell anyone - but he was wrong, and the courage of these victims has ensured he has been brought to justice.”
Detective Inspector Jim Willoughby said: “This case highlights the dangers faced by young people when sharing images online. Once an image or video is sent, control is often lost, and offenders can use this material to threaten, coerce and exploit victims.
“Young people are urged never to share indecent images, even with someone they believe they trust. Anyone who is contacted online and pressured, threatened or made to feel uncomfortable should stop engaging and tell a trusted adult immediately.
“If you are a victim of a sexual offence or online exploitation, help and support is available. You can contact the police at any time. If you do not feel ready to do so, consider speaking to a parent, teacher, carer, or another trusted person who can help you access the support you need.”
For information and advice, visit:
Non-contact sexual offences are serious. They matter.
We are campaign partners of It Does Matter that aims to raise awareness of offences like indecent exposure, voyeurism, cyberflashing, upskirting, stalking, catcalling and spiking — behaviours that have often been minimised or ignored.
These offences can be early warning signs of escalating violence and are a key part of tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
Created with the support of Lisa Squire, whose daughter Libby was tragically murdered by someone with a history of non-contact sexual offences, It Does Matter empowers people to speak up, stand together and stay safe.
For more information or to make a report: https://leicspolice.link/aguab
Leicestershire Police News
