Paedophile poses as young girl to talk to older men and trade images.

Southampton Man Jailed for Online Child Abuse

A Southampton man, Nathan Long, has been sentenced to two years in prison for posing as a young girl online to engage in conversations with other pedophiles.

Long's crimes came to light after Microsoft tipped off authorities about an email account being used to download child pornography. Police traced the account to Long's residence in Southampton, where he immediately confessed to his actions.

Analysis of Long's computer and iPhone revealed he had been using the site for two years, posing as a 13-year-old girl to communicate with older men and exchange sexually explicit images. During his conversations, Long discussed the kidnap, rape, and murder of children, even encouraging others to engage in such acts. He also admitted to abusing children but claimed it was all "fantasy".

Long pleaded guilty to 35 charges related to the possession and distribution of over 850 images of child abuse. In addition to his prison sentence, he will be required to participate in an internet sex offender program upon release, receive a sexual offenders prevention order, and be placed on the sex offenders register. He is also barred from working with children.

Long's lawyer, Mark Florida-James, described him as a depressed and lonely individual who was terrified of going to prison. He emphasized that Long had a previous good character.