40-year-old Benjamin Solowan has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for 12 counts of sexual offences involving children.
The Sark resident was jailed by Guernsey’s Royal Court, after his electronic devices were seized and searched in a pan-island investigation.
Last December, detectives from Guernsey’s Criminal Investigation Department and Search Team Officers travelled to Sark where Solowan was arrested on suspicion of attempted sexual communication with a child.
He was brought to Guernsey where he was interviewed, charged with attempted sexual communication with a child, and remanded in custody.
Forensic examination of his seized devices confirmed multiple other offences involving children, or individuals that Solowan thought were children.
The investigation
Examiners from the Bailiwick Law Enforcement High Tech Crime Unit carried out a forensic review of Solowan’s seized devices after his arrest in December 2024.
Investigators were quickly able to confirm which applications he had used, including those specifically designed to encrypt files and restrict unauthorised access.
A BLE spokesperson said they found a “significant number of indecent images of children” within one of these encrypted applications.
Solowan was confirmed to have committed other offences as the investigation unearthed evidence of him having online conversations with individuals he believed to be, or who claimed to be, under the age of 16.
As a result, Solowan was charged with multiple additional offences, including the ‘intended sexual activity rape of a child under 13’. That relates to an occasion in October 2024 when Solowan travelled to the UK intending to meet a person he believed to be a 12-year-old girl. Police say that “no meeting took place” but the intention was there.
Solowan was also sentenced for the ‘intended sexual activity rape and sexual touching of a child under 13’. This relates to Solowan booking flights to Manchester last November after he had engaged in online chats with an individual claiming to be a 14-year-old girl.
Police said their investigations confirmed Solowan had actually been talking to a man living in Belgium.
During their conversations, Solowan discussed plans to meet other girls, resulting in four further charges.
Bailiwick Law Enforcement said this investigation shows the dedication and expertise in Guernsey, helping to tackle serious online threats and protect our communities most vulnerable.
“This complex investigation demonstrates the dedication and expertise of our officers and digital forensic teams in identifying and responding to serious online threats,” a spokesperson said.
“Our priority is keeping our community safe, and by taking swift action we have prevented potential harm to vulnerable individuals. The charges brought towards this individual reflect the seriousness of the offences. We remain committed to relentlessly pursue those who seek to exploit young people in our community, including online threats, and work tirelessly to secure convictions.”
BLE also addressed any other potential victims, those most vulnerable, and members of the community who may have knowledge of any similar crimes, to come forward and talk to the police in any of our islands or other community.
“We strongly encourage anyone who has experienced these types of crimes to come forward and report them to the police. You will be fully supported throughout the investigation and any subsequent court proceedings, by our officers and dedicated partner agencies.”
Specialist support and advice is available through Guernsey’s Multi-Agency Support Hub which can be contacted by calling 01481 223182 or by email on MultiAgencySupportHub@gov.gg.
BLE added: “Anyone who has any concerns regarding internet and social media safety is encouraged to speak to our Digital Safety and Development Officer who regularly delivers inputs to children for online safety along with advice to parents.
“They can be reached through the police switchboard on 01481 222 222”.