Man jailed for online child sex offences

A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to two years and four months for a number of online child sex offences against three boys.

Cameron Mullen, of no fixed abode, admitted to sexually communicating with three boys, inciting them to engage in sexual activity and distribute indecent images and causing a child to watch sexual activity.

Mullen was previously granted bail a short time after his first court appearance, however this was later revoked and he has been in custody ever since.

Offending occurred between June 2024 and January 2025.

Delivering his sentence at Dungannon Crown Court on Wednesday, a judge told Mullen his behaviour "indicates a predatory pattern".

When the case first reached court on 11 January 2025, police said they had received a report from the mother of a boy who had been contacted by Mullen and had been sent sexual messages.

The court also heard that police were subsequently contacted by the mother of another boy, claiming that he had been sent sexually explicit images by Mullen.

At a later hearing, the court was also made aware of the case of another boy who Mullen had sent messages to asking for pictures of his genitals in exchange for money.

Mullen appeared at Dungannon Crown Court on Wednesday via video link from Maghaberry prison.

The court heard that, while Mullen had no previous convictions he was previously reported for similar matters, although none proceeded.

Delivering sentencing, Judge Brian Sherrard told Mullen that one of his victims was particularly impacted as he suffers from autism and is socially isolated.

"He was vulnerable, left sickened and terrified you would turn up at his school. He has developed suicidal ideation and anxiety," Judge Sherrard said.

"As with nearly all paedophilic offending you deny any sexual interest in children. The evidence proves otherwise."

The judge also told Mullen: "You have still not provided an explanation for your offending. This is a plethora of overlapping sexual offending of three boys. They and their families are affected by your offending.

"While this was online and not face to face, it is no less serious. Your use of social media helped make that a dangerous place. Your behaviour indicates a predatory pattern."

Judge Sherrard imposed a prison term of two years and four months, part of which has already been served in custody while the case has been ongoing.

The court also heard that Mullen would be on the sex offender register and subject to a sexual offences prevention order for a period of 10 years.

In a statement, a parent of one of the victims in this case who is speaking out to encourage others to remain vigilant and report any concerns said it is "every parent's worst nightmare".

"It hurt me immensely to see my child stripped entirely of his innocence whilst the perpetrator preyed onto him and tortured him, both mentally and psychologically."

The parent encouraged others to "be vigilant" if their child has a smartphone.

"The internet is not a safe place and it can have detrimental consequences if your own child is subjected to what my child seen and was asked to do," they said.

Det Ch Insp David McBurney said this case "demonstrates how offenders can use online platforms to gain a child's trust before quickly steering conversations to a sexual nature to satisfy their own sexual perversions".

"It is sickening that we are seeing younger and younger offenders in this space."

McBurney said Mullen "deliberately built a rapport with these young boys before rapidly turning the conversation" and described his behaviour as "manipulative and predatory".