Tye Hunt

A 23-year-old man from Brockley, Tye Hunt, has been jailed for his predatory online grooming of two young girls, aged 12 and 14, using the social media platform Snapchat. The offences occurred throughout 2022 and 2023, during which Hunt, who resided in Essex at the time, targeted the victims with the intent of sexual gratification.

The investigation began when the victims reported Hunt's actions to their local police forces. Evidence gathered revealed that Hunt had misled the 14-year-old by claiming to be 16 years old. He sent her explicit pictures and suggested paying for a hotel room to facilitate a meeting. With the 12-year-old, Hunt pressured her to send explicit images in response to his own and attempted to arrange a physical meeting for sexual activity. Upon discovering Hunt's residency in the Harwich area of Essex, the local forces alerted Essex Police, who took over the lead in the probe.

Hunt was arrested after moving to Brockley Road in Brockley. He later admitted to charges of attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence, as well as two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child. The case was heard at Chelmsford Crown Court on 25 November 2024, where Hunt was sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison.

• Hunt's behaviour was described as predatory by investigating officers, highlighting his use of social media to identify and exploit vulnerable young girls.
• As part of the sentencing, an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed to monitor his behaviour and device usage, alongside restraining orders prohibiting contact with the victims.

One victim's impact statement, read in court, underscored the lasting trauma: 'I want the court to understand that the damage caused by grooming doesn’t stop when the contact ends or when justice is done. It continues to affect every aspect of my life and the lives of others who experience it. I stopped going to school and socialising with friends as I couldn’t face seeing others.' School staff supporting the victim added: 'She has had forced upon her anxiety, shame, doubt, fear, obscenity, guilt, feelings of violation, mistrust, self-destruction and has been emotionally damaged beyond our understanding which will always have an impact on her view of life and people.'

Detective Constable Claire March of Clacton CID, who led the investigation, praised the victims' courage: 'I’d firstly pay tribute to the actions of the two girls, both in their maturity and patience working with police to gather the best possible evidence... Hunt’s behaviour was predatory and targeted towards young girls with the aim of sexual gratification. His use of social media to identify victims was a troubling feature of this case.' The collaborative effort between Essex Police and other forces ensured Hunt was brought to justice, preventing potential further harm to children.