Sexual predator sentenced for online sexual abuse of UK and US schoolgirls

A sexual predator who coerced children from across the UK and the US into sexual activity has been sentenced today at Durham Crown Court. 

Mark Dodds, 38, of Old Elvet, Durham was sentenced following his conviction after trial of five charges of sexual assault against one of his victims, with a further charge of inciting them into sexual activity. He had previously pleaded guilty to a total of 58 offences including sexual communication with children, blackmail, and the taking, possession and distribution of indecent images. 

Today he was jailed for twenty years, with a further six years on extended license. 

Over a ten-year period, Dodds used Snapchat to incite numerous girls, aged between 8 and 15, into carrying out sexual acts over live video calls. Dodds then used covert recordings of these calls as leverage, blackmailing his victims into further acts by threatening to distribute the videos further if they failed to comply with his requests.  

When arrested, Dodds was found to have amassed thousands of indecent images, which were recovered from multiple devices found at his home.

Debbie Breen, Head of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RaSSO) Unit at CPS North East, said: “Mark Dodds is a prolific sexual predator, who routinely manipulated young girls online for his own sexual gratification. 

“Dodds spared little thought for the effect that his emotional and physical abuse would have on his victims, callously exploiting their fear and shame to compel them into repeated sexual acts.

“I would like to recognise the incredible bravery of the young victims involved in this case. Despite the significant abuse that they have endured, the evidence they provided has greatly assisted the Crown Prosecution Service in building a very robust case against Dodds.  

“Each of them has played a part in bringing a prolific sexual predator to justice and we sincerely hope that their contribution to his significant sentence today can bring them a good measure of comfort.”