An 18-year-old has been sentenced to two years and eight months in youth detention for a series of sexual offences involving children.
Jessica Garnham-Burton was sentenced by the Royal Court on Friday.
The teenager had been messaging children via Snapchat.
A spokesperson for Guernsey Police confirmed that these messages were “of a sexual nature and included sending inappropriate videos/images”.
Garnham-Burton was arrested in May last year after a parent of one of the victims reported the messages to Guernsey Police.
Forensic examination of devises used revealed 51 indecent images.
It also confirmed that Garnham-Burton had a snapchat account in that name and one in another name. Both accounts had been used to speak to two victims online in a sexual manner.
There was also evidence that Garnham-Burton had tried to meet the children, despite being aware of their ages.
Bailiwick Law Enforcement has confirmed that Garnham-Burton was charged with 10 counts including sending indecent messages, making indecent images of children, and distributing indecent images of a child.
Garnham-Burton pleaded guilty to all offences.
Bailiwick Law Enforcement highlighted this case as an “example” to parents keen to monitor what their own children are doing online.
A spokesperson also highlighted the age restrictions that most social media sites use.
“This case is a good example of why it is important as parents to monitor your children’s devices by using parental controls on Wi-Fi, devices and each app, and why we would always recommend you think carefully about what age you allow your children to have access to social media, all of which is age restricted to 13+.
“There will always be people out there seeking to take advantage of the anonymity many social media and gaming platforms afford. For more information on social media safety, visit Social media safety checklist for parents | Internet Matters.”
Garnham-Burton’s two year and eight month prison sentence is backdated to when they were first remanded in custody in September 2024.
Express is waiting for additional information from Les Nicolles Prison confirming what section of the prison Garnham-Burton will be housed in while serving their sentence as they are trans-gender.
