Internet pervert locked up

An internet pervert who forced a Stafford schoolgirl to strip and perform a sex act in front of a webcam by threatening to "destroy" her computer has been locked up for a minimum two years.

Ben West was described by a judge as being a "significant risk of serious danger to the public when at liberty" when he appeared at Stafford Crown Court yesterday.

He was given a sentence for public protection with a minimum of two years, which means that when he has served the two years he will still not be released until the parole board decides he is no longer a danger.

The 21-year-old was also ordered to sign on the sex offenders register indefinitely and was banned from working with children and owning or using computer equipment to access the internet for the next 10 years.

West had admitted inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity by exposing herself on a webcam.

Recorder Mr Patrick Thomas QC said in passing sentence he had to take into account the consequences to the young victim.

"She now feels herself to be unsafe in the world and is understandably terrified of the internet," he said.

Mr Gerry Quirke, prosecuting, said the girl was using the MSN messaging service on the evening of June 1 to talk to her friends when she was contacted by West and "unwisely" ticked the box which gave him access.

He said West, of Rainham, Essex, threatened to destroy her computer if she did not do as she was told by overloading it with emails.

After complying with some of his requests in tears she blocked his access but West followed up by sending threatening emails with messages like "say goodbye to your computer." She was in tears as she told her mother what had happened.

Miss Aisha Khan, for West, asked the judge to take into account her client's previous good character and said he told her: "I can't believe I have put her through this, I am ashamed and disgusted with myself."

After the hearing at Stafford Crown Court yesterday the girl's mother accused Staffordshire Police of being "blase" in its handling of the inquiry.

"We were on the verge of getting a solicitor to take the case up on our behalf when a letter to the chief superintendent finally got things moving," she said.

"They were saying they could not find out the identity of the caller and could not do anything. They were telling us he must be abroad," said the mother.