Gloucestershire Paedophile Sentenced for Exploiting Young Girls

A 20-year-old man from Gloucestershire has been sentenced to 22 months in a young offenders’ institution for manipulating and exploiting young girls aged between 12 and 15. Tyler Allen, residing in Vicarage Court, Brockworth, received the sentence on July 9, 2023, at Gloucester Crown Court after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to child sexual exploitation.

The court heard that Allen’s actions involved a series of serious crimes committed when he was 17 and 18 years old. He was charged with ten offences against five victims, including six counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act, and two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child. Alongside his detention, Allen has been placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years, restricting his contact with children under 16 and imposing limitations on his use of electronic devices.

During the sentencing, Judge Rupert Lowe addressed Allen’s manipulative behavior, stating that his offences demonstrated a “very serious ongoing problem” and a “significant lack of control.” The court was informed that Allen used emotional manipulation and threats to coerce the girls into sending intimate images and videos. In one instance, he threatened to kill and rape a 12-year-old girl when she refused to comply with his demands.

Allen initially connected with his victims through online platforms, where he engaged them in conversations that quickly turned sexual in nature. He would request explicit images, often sending back similar content of himself. If the girls resisted, Allen employed emotional tactics, claiming love for them or threatening self-harm to leverage their compliance.

In one case, he attempted to arrange an in-person meeting with a 12-year-old girl by offering to buy her a train ticket for her 13th birthday. When she declined, he resorted to threats of violence. His tactics extended to another victim, a 15-year-old girl, whom he pressured for images under the threat of sharing her existing ones on social media.

Following a detailed investigation by the Gloucestershire Police’s Child Exploitation Team, Allen was arrested, and his digital devices were examined. He provided no comment during the police interview. Despite his defence team’s claims that he sought friendship rather than engaging in predatory behavior, Judge Lowe emphasized the severity of Allen’s actions and the emotional harm inflicted upon his victims.

“Allen cruelly manipulated and exploited children for his own sexual gratification,” said Police Staff Investigator Amber Jones. “The victims in this case have shown great courage in coming forward.”

Jones welcomed the court’s decision to impose a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which aims to prevent Allen from contacting anyone under 16 and restricts his access to electronic devices. She encouraged anyone who has experienced similar abuse to report it to the police.

The case highlights the ongoing issue of online child exploitation, with law enforcement agencies urging vigilance and the reporting of suspicious activities. Gloucestershire Police have provided resources for those concerned about their internet usage or the behavior of others, including the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) team.

As society continues to grapple with the challenges posed by online interactions, the importance of safeguarding children and addressing predatory behavior remains paramount.