Sextortion scammer sentenced for grooming four teenage girls

A man who groomed four teenage girls into sharing indecent images of themselves has received a suspended sentence.

Ben Dodd, 20, targeted the girls, aged 14 to 17, through social media and encouraged them to send him images and videos of a sexual nature before blackmailing them into sending more content, threatening to share it with their friends and family.

He pleaded guilty to 15 offences in March 2026 and was sentenced on Friday 14 August at Leicester Crown Court, receiving a two year custodial sentence, suspended for two years. He also ordered to complete a rehabilitation order and 200 hours unpaid work. Dodd is also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

Leicestershire Police praised the four girls for their "bravery and determination" in coming forward, also saying they believe there are more victims of Dodd who have not come forward, urging them that they have nothing to be ashamed of and they will be supported if they come forward.

Dodd's offending first came to light in December 2023 when a 17-year old girl reported he had persuaded her to send an indecent image of herself for money after they connected on Facebook. When she asked him to delete the picture, he demanded more images and videos while threatening to share it with her family.

Others reported him doing the same thing on Snapchat, with Devon and Cornwall Police receiving a complaint from a 14-year old girl. After examining his devices, a 16-year old victim from Staffordshire was identified.

Dodd admitted to:

• Nine counts of making indecent images of children

• Two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child

• Two counts of threatening to share an intimate photograph

• Two counts of sending photographs or films of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation

The NSPCC and LiveSafe both have advice for young people around staying safe online, sexting and sharing nudes.