Tyler Charter

A dangerous predator has been sentenced to imprisonment following a two-year joint investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service and the National Crime Agency into his possession of thousands of indecent images of children and online discussions about sexual abuse.

Tyler Charter, aged 35, appeared at Croydon Crown Court on Thursday, 23 May 2024, where he was sentenced to six and a half years in prison. He had been found guilty of arranging or facilitating a child sex offence and possession of indecent images of children. The court heard that Charter was in possession of 4,233 indecent images and videos depicting the abuse of children, some as young as three years old. Much of this material was recovered from his mobile phone during a search of his address in Croydon.

The investigation revealed disturbing online conversations on social media platforms where Charter discussed the abuse of young children and expressed a clear desire to commit horrific acts, including rape. Officers built a strong case by analysing these chats, which demonstrated his predatory intentions towards vulnerable children.

Charter was arrested at his home in Croydon in September 2022. During the arrest, he attempted to dispose of evidence from his devices, but officers intervened swiftly and seized the items. He was subsequently found guilty at Croydon Magistrates' Court on 29 February 2024.

Detective Constable Nikki Jones, who led the investigation, stated: “Our work is crucial in preventing dangerous, high-risk predators from targeting, grooming and sexually abusing vulnerable children in our society. This successful operation serves as a testament to the dedication of Met officers in utilising data and technology to serve and protect our communities. Safeguarding of children and prevention of these horrible crimes is a top priority and we continue to work with parents and carers to help children spot the signs of online grooming or exploitation.” The case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat child sexual exploitation through digital forensics and inter-agency collaboration.