Helensburgh man, 40, jailed for online child abuse and exploitation

Christopher Craven will spend two years and four months behind bars

Author: Alice FaulknerPublished 10th Sep 2024

A man from Helensburgh has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison following an intelligence-led operation into online child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Christopher Craven, 40, previously pled guilty to a number of offences including communicating in a sexualised manner with children online at Paisley Sheriff Court on Friday, 5 April, 2024.

He appeared before Paisley Sheriff Court for sentencing on Tuesday, 10 September, 2024.

Detective Inspector David Nairn, Operational Lead for Police Scotland’s National Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: "Craven’s online behaviour was reprehensible with no regard to any of the young victims subjected to these offences.

“He believed that by committing these crimes online he would remain untraceable. This was not the case, and as a result of our enquiries he will have to face the consequences for his actions.

"Police Scotland is committed to the protection of children and to bringing those responsible of sexual abuse to justice. We would urge anyone who wishes to report any child protection concerns or sexual crime to contact us on 101 so we can conduct a thorough investigation.”

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