Teenager who pestered a schoolgirl into sending him graphic pictures of her.

Teenager Avoids Jail for Sexting Schoolgirl

TJ Till-Smith, now 18, met his nine-year-old victim on Instagram and asked her to send him explicit photos, despite knowing her age. He threatened to post the images online if she refused, leaving her distressed and tearful.

The girl's parents discovered the messages and reported them to the police, who arrested Till-Smith in July 2022. Police found over 200 indecent images of children on his phone, as well as evidence that he had been searching for similar content online.

Till-Smith initially claimed a friend had used his account, but later admitted to accessing the images and sending messages to the victim. He told police he was "exploring his sexuality" and believed the victim was older.

In court, Till-Smith was sentenced to a 24-month community order, including a 55-day sex offenders treatment program and a 55-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He must also remain on the sex offenders register for five years and was given a five-year sexual harm prevention order.

The judge said it was important that Till-Smith "received support" and decided against jailing him.

Till-Smith pleaded guilty to causing a child to engage in sexual activity, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of taking indecent photographs of children and three counts of making indecent images of children.