Cameron Preston

Cameron Preston, a 27-year-old man from Grimsby, was sentenced at Grimsby Crown Court for a series of sexual offences and harassment against a teenage boy. The court heard that Preston had misrepresented his age to gain the trust of the victim, who was under 16 at the time the offending began. Once trust was established, Preston launched a malicious campaign of abuse that included sexual assaults and extensive harassment.

Prosecutor Claire Holmes detailed how Preston admitted to two counts of sexual assault on a child, one count of sexual activity with a child, stalking, threatening to disclose images, and three offences of possession of indecent images of children. The harassment involved sending threatening messages and emails to the victim, warning that he was being watched and threatening to expose indecent images. Preston also ordered unwanted taxis and takeaways to the boy's home, setting them to cash on delivery to cause maximum humiliation. In one extreme instance, he arranged for 29 taxis to be sent to the victim's address within a 24-hour period.

The victim was initially unaware that Preston was behind the harassment. It was only after the boy reported the incidents to police that an investigation uncovered evidence linking the offences to Preston. Upon arrest, Preston made full admissions and expressed shame for his actions, showing police evidence of 50 takeaway orders he had placed. Officers also discovered indecent images on his phone during the search.

Judge John Thackray KC described the behaviour as 'extremely disturbing' and noted that it had made the victim's life a misery, causing lifelong damage. In a victim impact statement, the complainant revealed he lived in a constant state of fear. Defending, Craig Lowe highlighted Preston's remorse and his previous successful career in music production. Despite this, the judge imposed a custodial sentence of five years and three months. Additional measures included a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, indefinite placement on the Sex Offenders Register, and an indefinite restraining order barring contact with the victim.

Detective Sergeant Lucy Proctor-Eckley of Humberside Police commended the victim's courage in coming forward and emphasised Preston's manipulative tactics, such as creating false identities and attempting to isolate the boy. The case was reported by Grimsby Live on 18 February 2026.