Paedophile postman Michael Williams used Facebook and Bebo to groom 1000 kids
• Paedophile used Facebook, Bebo
• He groomed up to 1000 children
• Created eight different profiles
FACEBOOK and Bebo have come under fire after a paedophile used the social networking sites to groom up to 1000 children for sex.
Michael Williams created at least eight fake profiles and targeted children he met on his rounds as a postman or through his role at a soccer club.
He dyed his hair different colours to hide his identity and pretended to be a young boy called James and a teenage girl called Gorgeous Charlie to meet children aged between 11 and 16.
Many of his victims were tricked into performing sex acts on a webcam but he convinced others to meet him in parks, on beaches and at his home where he abused them.
Police described Williams, 28, from Penryn, southwestern England, as "a very dangerous offender". Very manipulative. Very clever with his grooming technique.
"He is a predatory pedophile who cannot be trusted. There will definitely be other victims out there who have had contact with him," said Detective Inspector Simon Snell.
He criticised Facebook for not having a "panic button," so that children worried about approaches by paedophiles could raise the alarm, saying the website was intrinsic to Williams' method.
A Facebook spokesman said, “This case serves as a painful reminder that all internet users must use extreme caution when talking to or meeting people they only know via the internet.
“Facebook's top priority is to maintain and improve safety for our users. Educating young people about safety online is vital and that is why we recently launched the UK's biggest campaign on this issue.
“We have also established a safety center (
www.facebook.com/safety) which provides tips for young people and parents about how to use Facebook as safely as possible,” he added.
Williams pleaded guilty at Truro Crown Court in Cornwall to 27 child sex offences, including grooming, sexual activity with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and voyeurism.
He also admitted making and possessing indecent images, and asked for some 460 similar offenses to be taken into consideration.
He was remanded in custody for psychiatric reports and will be sentenced on a date that was yet to be fixed.
Michael Williams targeted children he met on his postal round and at his soccer club
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Last edited by atomic3d at 29-5-2010 09:05 ]
