Sara Oliveria

Sara Oliveria, a 37-year-old restaurant cleaner from Bootle, Liverpool, became entangled in a chilling online paedophile scheme after connecting with David Lee on Facebook. The pair exchanged messages on Facebook and WhatsApp, where Oliveria filmed and sent 24 videos and two photos of herself performing sex acts with a young child watching, fulfilling Lee's perverted requests. They met for the first time in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court on 25 August 2023, convicted of a string of disturbing sexual offences against children.

Under police interview, Oliveria admitted meeting Lee online and chatting, but insisted they had 'never actually met in person'. She described herself as 'vulnerable' following a previous relationship breakdown, stating that speaking with Lee 'made her feel good' and she 'did not want to lose contact with him', so she 'played along with the fantasy'. Despite initial reluctance, she proceeded to create and share the explicit content, responding to Lee's graphic proposals with enthusiasm.

Oliveria admitted two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. Her defence barrister, Peter White, told the court, 'She has come prepared for all eventualities. It wouldn't appear she was the driving force behind this offending. It is accepted that she engaged voluntarily. She is at a loss to explain why she has chosen to engage in this behaviour.' White highlighted her difficult upbringing in Lisbon, including abandonment by her parents and periods of homelessness, noting she felt 'lonely and isolated' but conceded that was no excuse. During the hearing, Oliveria wept, holding her head in her hands.

Judge Denis Watson KC addressed her reluctance being 'largely forgotten' as the conversations progressed. The case, reported by the Liverpool Echo and Daily Mirror, underscores the role of social media in enabling such offences, with Oliveria held responsible for her active participation in the exploitation of a child.