Blackmail, drug supply and distributing indecent images of child.

East London Man Jailed for Blackmail, Drug Offenses, and Child Abuse Material

A 28-year-old man from East London, George Austin-Bohan, has been sentenced to prison for a series of offenses including online blackmail, drug supply, and the distribution of indecent images of a child.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard that between 2018 and 2020, Austin-Bohan demanded money from two women online, threatening to publish indecent images of a child on Instagram. He had obtained these images without the child's knowledge.

Austin-Bohan was also convicted of possessing cocaine and MDMA with intent to supply. In September 2022, a search warrant was executed at his residence in Tower Hamlets. Authorities seized drugs with an estimated street value of £10,000-£15,000, along with over £7,000 in cash.

Austin-Bohan was arrested at the scene and subsequently sentenced to five years and three months imprisonment for three counts of blackmail, malicious communications, distribution of indecent images of children, and four drug supply charges. He was also subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

Forensic examination of Austin-Bohan's electronic devices, which were seized during the investigation, revealed digital evidence supporting the charges.

PC Lindsey England, the investigating officer from the Met's Central East Command, stated: "The offenses committed in this case are vile and have been truly distressing for the victims. Austin-Bohan used multiple social media accounts in an attempt to conceal his identity and continued to deny his involvement throughout the investigation."

"There has been a considerable amount of investigative effort including vast digital forensic work involved in this case but without the victims' bravery in coming forward Austin-Bohan could not have been brought to justice. "I hope that the sentence handed down provides them with a sense of justice and I hope they can put these incidents behind them. Online sexual offenses, both against children and adults are damaging in the extreme and I would urge people to report such crimes to police so that they can be investigated. Victims will be listened to and should know that there are many avenues of support available," PC England concluded.