South Cambridgeshire man jailed and placed on sex offenders register for 10 years
Michael Mitchell sentenced for possessing child abuse material and sexually exploiting a teenager
Michael Mitchell, a 24-year-old from South Cambridgeshire, has been jailed and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years, after police uncovered child abuse material on his devices and evidence of sexual communication with a teenager.
Mitchell was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison at St Albans Crown Court after pleading guilty to eight offences, which included possession and creation of indecent images of children, sexual communication with a minor, and threatening to disclose private sexual material.
Police investigation
The investigation began after police raided Mitchell’s home in Blenheim Close, Shepreth, on 5th March last year.
On his devices, officers discovered sexual images and videos involving children and babies, including category A material – the most severe classification. Some of the material depicted the abuse of babies.
Additional evidence showed Mitchell pressuring a teenager into performing sex acts and sending him recordings by threatening to share intimate photos and videos of her with friends and family. The teenager refused and reported the incident to her school staff, who then contacted the police.
Sentencing and restrictions
Mitchell faced sentencing for the following offences:
Engaging in sexual communication with a child
Inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity
Causing a child aged 13 to 15 to view sexual images
Threatening to disclose private sexual photographs and videos to cause distress
Possession of indecent images of children classified as category A, B, and C
Possession of extreme pornographic material involving acts with animals
He received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 10 years, which restricts his behaviour and appears on Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, preventing him from working with children and vulnerable people.
Police response
PC Shane O’Brien described the case as “truly horrific," commending the teenager’s bravery in speaking out.
“The child abuse material Mitchell was found in possession of is the worst material I have had to review and grade in more than 15 years in policing," O’Brien said.
He added: "The only light in this awful case is the courage of the teenager who I applaud for reporting the incident to school staff. Not only was she brave, but she also set an example to all youngsters that speaking out to a responsible adult is the right course of action.”
The teenager’s evidence and support led to Mitchell entering an early guilty plea.