Brighton man jailed for more than six years for child sex offences

A Brighton man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison over sexual offences involving children.

Benjamin Toop, 28, of Shanklin Road, Brighton, was sentenced at Chichester Crown Court on Friday, having pleaded guilty at a hearing in October last year.

Toop had admitted three offences of making indecent images, four offences of distributing indecent images, four offences of attempting to engage a young girl in indecent activity on-line and four offences of inciting a young girl to engage in sexual activity on-line.

It comes after a search of Toop’s address in October 2013 which found evidence he had been making indecent images of teenage girls.

A search of his computer which officers seized showed that he had been engaging teenage girls in indecent conversation and activity on line.

One girl from the USA, believed to be aged 14/15 at the times of the offences, was involved in the on-line offences which Toop admitted. He had established contact with her via a chat room.

Evidence of his contacts with other girls was also disclosed in court as part of the case

Detective Constable Chris Smith said; “This case sends a further message that people who engage in this type of activity can and will be detected and brought to justice.”