Kevin Mark Eaton

Kevin Mark Eaton, a 31-year-old youth football coach from Tipton in the West Midlands, has been sentenced to six years in prison for a series of online sexual offences against children. Eaton, who operated under the guise of a schoolgirl on social media and chat platforms, targeted vulnerable youngsters, persuading them to strip and perform sexual acts on webcams. His actions came to light following an investigation by West Midlands Police, who uncovered a disturbing pattern of grooming and exploitation.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court, Eaton pleaded guilty to 20 counts of inciting boys and girls to engage in sexual activity over the internet. He also admitted to seven counts of making indecent images of children and three counts of distributing such material, totalling 30 offences. The court heard how Eaton, trusted in his role as a coach, abused his position to build relationships with minors online, using deception to coerce them into explicit behaviour. Prosecutor details highlighted the premeditated nature of his crimes, with Eaton capturing and sharing the resulting images across illicit networks.

The sentencing judge emphasised the severity of Eaton's betrayal of trust and the long-term harm inflicted on his young victims. In addition to the six-year custodial sentence, Eaton was placed on the sex offenders register for life. A sex offender prevention order was imposed, barring him from any form of work or voluntary involvement with children and prohibiting him from sharing accommodation with anyone under 16. West Midlands Police described the case as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators, crediting public awareness and digital forensics in securing the conviction.

This case, reported by the BBC on 20 November 2013, underscores ongoing efforts to combat child sexual exploitation in the digital age. Sources from HM Courts & Tribunals Service confirm the details of the proceedings, with no further appeals noted.