Social Media Monsters

The first episode will focus on the force’s investigation into Jay Lang, who abused and blackmailed dozens of victims after contacting them using social media between 2018 and 2021. 

Lang, aged 24 when he was convicted and sentenced in 2023, posed as a 16-year-old girl named Chloe on social media apps such as Snapchat and Instagram, in order to make contact with similar-aged boys – some of whom were as young as 11. 

During those interactions, Lang would pursue sexualised conversations and would ask for the boys to reciprocate with images and / or videos.

Once images had been exchanged, Lang would reveal himself as a man and either make blackmail demands for additional images or money. In the case of two victims, Lang arranged to meet with them. During those meetings, Lang also committed contact offences. 

The documentary, airing at 10pm, includes an interview with former Essex Police Detective Sergeant Ben Rushmere, and one of Lang’s victims, who bravely shared his story anonymously.

In total, the specialist officers and staff in our child sexual exploitation proactive investigation team, were able to secure charges for Lang in relation to 26 victims he targeted. 

And as a result of that work, he had no option but to admit a total of 46 charges, including numerous counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, causing or inciting child sexual exploitation, arranging or facilitating commission of a child sex offence, causing or inciting child prostitution of pornography and blackmail. 

In September 2023, he was jailed for 21 years and was subject to a six-year extended licence period. 

He must serve a minimum of 14 years in jail before being eligible for release. 

The investigative team were commended by Her Honour Judge Samantha Cohen for their work in the largest child exploitation investigation ever undertaken by Essex Police. 

Sextortion is a type of online blackmail. Find out more: Sextortion advice and information.

If you’ve experienced child sexual abuse or exploitation, there are many organisations who can help and support you. Find out more: When You Are Ready.

The next episode of the series, which follows straight after at 11pm, will shine a light on the investigation into the murder of James Gibbons at his Laindon home in May 2021.

Perpetrator Joshuah Sparks, who was 16 years old at the time, was sentenced to 13 years in detention for James’ murder in December 2021. 

James, 34, was stabbed four times outside his house. He had been celebrating at a birthday party for his two young daughters.

He had stepped out from the party to defend a man being abused by a group of young people, including Sparks.  

In the hours after the murder, the teenager admitted to the stabbing in message in a Snapchat group, adding:

“I don’t care, I’m a psychopath”.

He added

“I’ve just M someone off and that.”

Before finishing the conversation saying:

“I might as well go and kill everyone else I don’t like”.

The episode features interviews with two Essex Police Detectives - Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, and Detective Sergeant Gavin Wiseman.

James’ mum, Wendy, and fiancée, Vicky, also appear in the programme, reflecting on that fateful night and sharing their memories of James.

If you are worried about knife crime and need support, Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit provide support for young people, their families and communities to stay safe and away from crime, exploitation and serious violence.

Social Media Monsters will broadcast on Channel 4 at 10pm and 11pm on Tuesday 13 January.  

Both episodes are available to watch on Channel 4 Streaming now.