Derbyshire parents urged to have ‘frank conversations’ with children as blackmail pervert jailed
Derbyshire police have urged parents to have ‘frank and ongoing conversations’ with their children, after a sex offender who pretended to be a teenager on SnapChat blackmailed girls into sending him explicit videos and images.
Siah Riley contacting underage teenage girls on an online platform, before moving the conversations to SnapChat where he pretended to be a child of the same age as them.
He would then groom victims, encouraging them to send images and videos of themselves undressed and engaging in sexual acts.
Riley, from Derby, began blackmailing victims who refused to send him videos of them performing explicit sexual acts.
He admitted over 100 counts of causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and over 22 counts of blackmail and was handed a 25-year jail term at Derby Crown Court on May 7.
Detective Sergeant Richard Foster from Derbyshire police said: “The sheer scale and seriousness of Riley’s offending is shocking and exposes the vulnerability of children in online environments.
“It was deliberate, calculated and sustained abuse, carried out against more than 100 children.
“This case is a sobering reminder that the internet, while offering many benefits, is also being actively exploited by individuals who use it as a tool to commit serious sexual offences against children.
“Offenders like Riley deliberately seek out online spaces where they believe children are least protected and most at risk.
“Children have an absolute right to feel safe online. They should be able to use digital platforms without fear of abuse, coercion or exploitation.
“Sadly, cases like this show that there are those who will go to extreme lengths to violate that trust.
“I would strongly urge parents and carers to take this opportunity to have frank and ongoing conversations with their children about online safety.
“Ask yourselves whether you know which websites, games and applications your children are using, who they are communicating with, and whether appropriate privacy and safety settings are in place.
“Children need clear, age‑appropriate information to help them recognise risks, understand boundaries, and know how and where to seek help.
“We will continue to pursue those who commit these abhorrent offences, but we all have a responsibility to protect children and it’s crucial that awareness, engagement and an open dialogue begin at home.”