Paedophile Tyrel Benjamin, 25, of Harrow, was apprehended on July 3 in central London after he remitted £150, believing it would facilitate the sexual exploitation of a minor.
The actions violated a 12-month suspended sentence imposed by Cardiff Crown Court on May 17, 2018, for the possession of indecent pictures.
On November 15, Tyrel Benjamin was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court to seven years’ imprisonment, followed by an additional two years on extended licence, after pleading guilty to attempting to procure sexual offences against a child, arranging the commission of a child sex offence, distributing indecent images, and violating a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Tyrel Benjamin attracted the attention of detectives early this year due to a clandestine police investigation involving both the Metropolitan Police and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit.
Detective Constable Jonathan Booty, from the Metropolitan Police’s Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation unit, stated: “This sentencing demonstrates that law enforcement in London and across the UK will employ diverse strategies to identify and prosecute individuals who attempt to exploit children.”
“The message to those people is clear, the internet is not a lawless playground where they can seek to live out their sick fantasies. Police officers are working hard 24/7, online and offline to identify and bring to justice sex offenders like Tyrel Benjamin, and above all to help keep children safe.”
An NSPCC spokesperson also added: “Benjamin is clearly a serious danger to children, and was prepared to pay for the opportunity to inflict appalling abuse on a young victim.
“Cases like this highlight how predators use the internet to act out their depraved desires.
“While prison sentences serve a vital purpose in reflecting the severity of the crime, rehabilitation is also important to help prevent offenders from abusing again. We hope Tyrel Benjamin receives effective treatment to reduce the risk he may pose to children upon his release.”
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