Uttlesford: Man jailed and vulnerable children safeguarded

A man has been sentenced and vulnerable children safeguarded following a complex cross-forces joint investigation led by specialist officers.

We were alerted by colleagues from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) to the online criminal behaviour of a man who was using internet platforms to send explicit messages and ask young girls for sexualised images.

In October 2022 Matthew Edwards was arrested at his home by officers from our Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT) and several electronic devices were seized.

Indecent images and videos of children, dating back to 2019, were discovered.

And further investigations led to allegations of child sexual assault made against the 41-year-old, who lived in the Uttlesford area at the time of his offending.

He refused to answer any questions during his first interview and in his second interview he read a prepared statement where he denied sexually touching a child and said the images he had taken were not of a sexual nature.

Edwards, of Lisburn Road, Newmarket, was charged with:

• three counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13 by touching
  three counts of taking and making indecent photographs of children (93 Cat A, 29 Cat Band 271 Cat C)
• Take an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child
• Distribute an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child
• Attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Attempting to cause a child to watch sexual images
• Nine counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child
• Outraging public decency

He admitted three counts of taking and making indecent images and one count of outraging public decency but denied the other charges. The jury didn’t believe him and following a nine-day trial at Chelmsford Crown Court in June he was found guilty on the other 16 counts.

And at the same court on Wednesday 13 August he was sentenced to 12 years, with eight years to be served in custody and the remainder on licence. He will be on the sex offenders register for life and is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Sally Keddy, who led Essex Police’s investigation, said:

“Edwards is a sexual predator and is a danger to women and girls.

“It is right that he now serves a long prison term for his abhorrent offending.

“We are fully committed to ensuring those who pose a threat to vulnerable children are brought to justice. In this case we worked closely with our partners in the SWROCU.

“Offenders should know that we work across borders to stop their criminal behaviour and protect our communities.

“I know Edwards’ crimes have had a lasting impact on a number of people and I hope all those impacted by his offending are able to move forward with their lives.”

Temporary Detective Inspector Alex Spargo from the Online Investigations Team at the SWROCU said:

“This case grew from our initial investigation into Edwards’ attempts to sexually abuse children to his ultimate convictions for a whole string of offences, including sexual assault.

“Teams like ours are working across the country, hand in hand with regional forces, to identify such offenders. It is vital parents and children themselves take steps to protect against the threat."

The NSPCC website has clear and extensive advice for parents and carers, children and young people, and professionals to keeping safe online.

If you have concerns about your own use of the internet or inappropriate thoughts or behaviour about children, or you are worried about how someone you know behaves, then contact the Lucy Faithfull Foundation.

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