Online child sex offender.

Hackney Man Jailed for Online Child Sex Abuse

A Hackney man has been jailed at the Old Bailey for sexually abusing three young girls online. Adam Shine, 25, was arrested at his home in Digby Road, Hackney on 6 February following information passed to the Metropolitan Police by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

The NCA's information linked Shine to indecent images of children. Officers investigating the case found that Shine had used the Omegle website for three separate video calls with two 11-year-old girls and an 8-year-old girl in April 2023.

During these calls, Shine masturbated on camera and encouraged the girls to expose or touch themselves sexually. He recorded and retained these videos, which provided clues for officers to locate and safeguard an 11-year-old child in the UK.

Despite efforts to locate the other two children, believed to be in the United States, they have not been identified due to limited information provided by Omegle, which shut down in November 2023. Information about the case has been passed to American authorities.

Shine, who worked at an adult store in central London, pleaded guilty on 3 March at the Old Bailey to engaging in sexual communications with the three children, causing them to engage in sexual activity, and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of the children. He was sentenced on Friday, 14 June, to four and a half years' imprisonment.

In addition to his custodial sentence, Shine received an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely. These measures will help to protect other children after he has served his prison sentence.

Anyone with information about similar offenses, whether they happened recently or not, is encouraged to report to police by calling 101 or online. To remain anonymous, please contact the independent charity Crimestoppers.