A court heard that a teenager’s so-called “kind and attentive” Snapchat friend turned out to be a nightmare for parents as he was sentenced to jail. Benjamin Mitchell, 19, groomed his victim through Snapchat, coercing her to send sexual videos of herself after forming an online relationship with her last year.
The victim, a 15-year-old schoolgirl, expressed in court that Mitchell knew his actions were wrong but proceeded anyway, showing a lack of concern for anyone but himself. Mitchell pressured her to send explicit material over a four-month period, causing distress to the young girl.
Eventually, the girl disclosed the abuse to her friends and mother, describing Mitchell’s behavior as predatory and harmful. Mitchell’s criminal record revealed a history of similar offenses, including possessing indecent images of children.
During sentencing, the judge highlighted Mitchell’s manipulative and coercive actions, emphasizing the significant harm caused to the victim’s mental health. Mitchell, diagnosed with autism and ADHD, was sentenced to four years in prison with an extended license period and strict monitoring conditions upon release.
The judge emphasized Mitchell’s understanding of the wrongdoing and the deliberate exploitation of the victim’s vulnerability. Mitchell was ordered to serve a minimum term before parole consideration, receive a sexual harm prevention order, register as a sex offender indefinitely, and adhere to a lifelong restraining order.