Social media 'predator' jailed for 20 years

A paedophile who blackmailed young girls into sexual acts has been jailed for 20 years.

David Brennan, 41, of Hull, described by police as a "social media predator", chased girls as young as 12, luring them with gifts.

He pleaded guilty to seven offences, including causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual communication with a child.

Brennan denied a further 11 offences but a jury unanimously found him guilty of all charges on 9 May following a three-week trial at Hull Crown Court.

Brennan pleaded guilty to three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of sexual communication with a child, and two counts of failing to comply with police.

A jury found him guilty of three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of sexual communication with a child, and two counts of paying for sexual services of a child.

He was also convicted of meeting a child following sexual grooming, attempting to sexually communicate with a child, attempting to cause or incite a child to engage with sexual activity, and blackmail.

Humberside Police said Brennan used social media to blackmail his victims and organised to meet girls, leaving them cash gifts.

They also found he sent sexually explicit photos of himself to girls and would threaten them if they did not comply with his sexual demands.

Det Sgt Stuart Fox said: "The victims in this case were all children and Brennan used that to his advantage by waving cash or alcohol as an incentive to manipulate them...this allowed him to gain full control of the children."

He added: "I'd like to commend the victims and witnesses for their bravery in coming forward... it is because of their strength we have been able to collate a substantial amount of evidence ultimately putting Brennan behind bars for a long time."

Brenned was also handed a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

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