Luton teen jailed for abusing child

A teenager who raped and sexually abused a child before sharing the images online has been jailed.

Joshua Davies, 18, came to the attention of Bedfordshire Police’s Internet Child Abuse Investigation Team (ICAIT) last year after it was found that he had been uploading indecent images of a child to his Snapchat account.

Officers carried out a warrant at his home address, where he was arrested on suspicion of making and distributing indecent images of children, and his phone was seized.

It was discovered that there were further videos and images on his phone of Davies sexually abusing a child, and he was further arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault.

When questioned by police, Davies said that he was asked to send the images to someone he had met online.

Davies, of Crawley Green Road, Luton, pleaded guilty to a number of offences, including rape, sexual assault and making indecent images of children.

He was sentenced at Luton Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday) to six years and eight months in prison.

Investigation Officer Michela Zasada from ICAIT, who investigated, said: “Sexual abuse is the most horrendous experience for any child to have to go through as it not only ruins their young years but can stay with them through adulthood too.

“I hope today’s result will offer comfort to those affected by Davies’s vile actions. Although this jail sentence can’t reverse the damage he has inflicted on the victim, at least he no longer poses a danger to children.

“Combatting violence against women and girls is a huge focus in policing. We are working tirelessly to put abusers behind bars and this case should serve as a warning to other perpetrators that we will do whatever it takes to bring a case to court and get justice for victims.

“If anything has happened to you, no matter how long ago, it is never too late to come forward and tell us. We will do everything we can to get justice for you, and we have a number of specially trained officers who are here to support you.”