Mum Shares How Online Predator Took Control of Young Sons Life

Mother’s terrifying warning after her 12 year old son fell under ’24-hour control’ of pervert who groomed him via Playstation and Xbox.

The distraught mum revealed how her son would spend hours chatting to the abuser who contacted him via Xbox and Playstation.

As part of a campaign to raise awareness of online grooming, his mum has spoken out about the harrowing ordeal, reports the Manchester Evening News.

She said: “We found being at home wasn’t safe for him – that’s where it was all happening – right under our noses.

“He had always been a happy lad but we noticed he had got more withdrawn – he lost weight and shut himself away in his room all of the time.”

“We were worried, but after speaking to friends with children the same age, we put it down to hormones.”

The offences only came to light when, after months of abuse, her son broke down and confided in one of his teachers at school.

“I was devastated but also in a strange way relieved that now I finally knew what was wrong and that we could do something about it and help him”, the mother added. “All the clues suddenly fell into place and it made sense of so much of his behaviour.

“For example he used to go to sleep with his headphones in, saying he was listening to music on his phone to calm him. But actually it was the offender who wouldn’t let him switch off and wanted to listen in – even when he was sleeping – to have 24-hour control.

“He would constantly be talking to him via his Xbox and Playstation, or on his phone. The longest phone call was one where he made him stay on it all day. He would hear the family talking to my son and telling him off…then drilled into him that we were no good.

“He would say ‘get away from your parents and come with me, I’ll look after you’.

Predator took over a young boys life

“He took over our son’s life, grooming him, being in constant contact online, buying him Xbox games, manipulating him, and segregating him from his friends and family to gain total control.

“He eventually started meeting him straight from school and would take him to local playing fields where he would sexually assault him. He also convinced him he was gay – whereas now he realises he isn’t.”

Police launched an investigation as soon as the boy confided his experiences and the offender was charged with grooming and sexual abuse. He was found guilty in October 2017 and sentenced to six years in prison.

“I would urge parents not to dismiss any radical changes in behaviour – you know your children, you must trust your instincts. Keep conversations about what they are doing, and who they are seeing, ongoing.”

Share your comments below

20 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 09 Sep 2022
    10:34 am
6years and I guess he will get out early as most of them do so hes is well over half way through his time but the boy will never be over this.

- - MuthaNita said
  - 09 Jan 2019
    9:33 am
Six years! He stole this boys childhood! Imagine the scars he’ll be carrying for the rest of his life! Give him life or the death penalty! This makes my blood boil.
I wonder if there are any kind of parental controls and monitoring programs for gaming consoles like there are for PC’s, tablets and phones, if there isn’t already then there needs to be.

- - mom111059 said
  - 30 Jun 2018
    11:23 pm
What a sad story. My heart goes to the family. Some things can’t be undone unfortunately.

- - Jessica said
  - 30 Jun 2018
    9:30 pm
That poor child and parents I can’t even imagine.

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 21 Jun 2018
    9:56 am
So scary and sad! I honestly can’t understand how a child could allow someone to make them be online for 24 hours like that, he must’ve made some serious threats. What a monster!

- - rovermum said
  - 21 Jun 2018
    9:26 am
OMG, this is so scary and frightening for all concerned. Just be vigilant. I’m so sorry for what this family has gone through, but at least they were concerned enough to work through this and to share their harrowing story with others. A real lesson and warning for all parents.

- - Mum2archer said
  - 20 Jun 2018
    11:05 pm
This is scary. Glad it’s a few years before I have to worry about this!!

- - Miss.marwee said
  - 20 Jun 2018
    10:44 pm
Wow how scary! The online world comes with so many hidden dangers. I’m glad this man was caught and I hope no other child ever experiences the same thing.

- - mom112217 said
  - 20 Jun 2018
    2:05 pm
This a very sad story,l hope the young boy gets all the professional help he needs.

- - mom111059 said
  - 20 Jun 2018
    10:15 am
Oh my that makes me really sad. What a horrible excuse for a human this predator is. What scares me is even though this one is locked away there are so many others about. What is going on? I wish we had a safer world for kids to grow up in.

- - mom93821 said
  - 20 Jun 2018
    6:11 am
This is just horrific and the sentences should be longer in these cases.
- mom93821 replied
  
  21 Jun 2018 , 6:37 am
  I hope the young boy receives every support and help.
- - Ellen said
  - 20 Jun 2018
    5:36 am
Poor boy and poor parents ! Their lives will never be the same. Hope they get all the help they need.
And 6 years for this ??!! That’s a shocker !! That’s pretty much patting a predator on the back.

- - Staceylee101 said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    10:09 pm
Woah, That is creepy. Maybe this is something they should be teaching kids in school to look out for, dangers of online use.

- - ashna9 said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    9:28 pm
Zero tolerance! Poor parents and child, how distressing.

- - becstalou said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    6:25 pm
Poor kid. If we’re serious about protecting women and children we need zero tolerance for these sorts of crimes.

- - cherz said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    5:25 pm
6 YEARS OH my God..what system do we have.?
This might sound horrid of me but do hope the other inmates get to him.

- - mom81879 said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    5:18 pm
It’s just getting beyond a joke the way this disgusting not even human beings are worming their way into innocents lives.

- - mom206279 said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    4:49 pm
6 years?! Wow. That’ll teach him not to rape children. Did they not learn anything from Daniel Morecombe? We have an obligation to protect children from these sickening humans. Not let them out after 6 years to do it again.

- - sambii said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    3:49 pm
This is horrifying. I can’t believe the guy only got 6 years! Disgraceful!