Matthew Roberts instructed in successful prosecution of Benjamin Mahoney
Matthew Roberts was instructed by the Crown Prosecution Service in the successful prosecution of Benjamin Mahoney who, on 24th June at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, was sentenced to five years in prison for inciting a child under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity and making indecent photographs.
The victims in this case, children aged 11 and 12, were targeted by Mahoney via an internet chatroom and instant messaging site which has been set up to discuss pop star Justin Bieber. The victims live in Maine, USA, and police in Wales were contacted by US homeland security after the victims confided in teachers who contacted the Sheriff’s department.
The victims' evidence was pre-recorded as the issue was not that the offences had occured but, because Mahoney denied the charges completely, rather that the prosecution had to prove it was him who had committed the offences. This necessitated tracing his IP address across jurisdictions and involved expert evidence. The case highlights the cross-border liaison between law enforcement agencies and is yet another illustration of the challenges faced in keeping children safe on-line.
This is an example of the type of sensitive and complex case undertaken by members of 9 Park Place’s criminal team. It has been reported in the popular press and for further details view:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/justin-bieber-chat-room-used-4706009
http://www.irishsun.com/index.php/sid/215438324/scat/15665b944045da4a
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/justin-bieber-fans-bullied-sex-1996027
