Man jailed for string of child sex offences
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A man who used a fake profile to talk to children online has today been jailed following an investigation by Cleveland Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT).
Danny Ritchy, 45, used Facebook to sexually communicate with a girl who he believed was 14 years old between January and July 2024.
Between July and August 2024, Ritchy again used a fake profile, as well as his real name, to groom a 13-year-old girl. He also sent the victim explicit videos of himself.
Ritchy from Stockton was arrested in August and was subsequently charged with a string of offences which included:
- Attempted sexual communications with a child
- Sexual communications with a child
- Inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
- Three counts of sending a photograph to case alarm, distress or humiliation
- Four counts of causing a child to watch an image of sexual activity
- Making an indecent image of a child
Ritchy admitted all 11 offences and appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Monday 17th January where he was sentenced to three and a half years in prison.
He will also be on the Sex Offenders Register for life and was issued with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Investigating officer Detective Constable Barnes from POLIT said: “Ritchy targeted children online in pursuit of his own sexual gratification.
“We will continue to identify those who groom and coerce vulnerable children online and ensure they face the full force of the law.
“We’d encourage any child or young person who is concerned about someone they’re speaking to online, to tell someone about it or report it directly to the police.”
You can report an incident to Cleveland Police any time online via our website or by phoning 101.