Jonathan Woodward: paedophile pretended to be a woman online to target children all over the world

A paedophile who pretended to be a woman online to target children using social media was described by a judge as “the worst I’ve seen for some while”.

Jonathan Woodward, 22, used fake social media accounts pretending to be a woman to lure kids, some aged under 13, from all over the world into sexual activity online which he then recorded.

The pervert used software to identify where his victims lived, then blackmailed and threatened the young victims using their addresses and the sick recordings to get them to send him more graphic material.

Cops investigated Woodward last year when he was reported to police after a suspected indecent image of a child was seen on his mobile phone.

‘The worst I’ve seen for some while’

The paedophile was arrested and multiple electronic devices were seized from him when police raised his home in Ashford, Kent, where he was living at the time, but has no fixed address.

Many of his victims were very young children, who he abused between 2015 and 2021.

At Guildford Crown Court yesterday (Wed), he pleaded guilty to 39 child sex offences and was sentenced to 18 years behind bars.

Woodward must serve two thirds of his 18 year sentence with a further eight years as part of an extended license on his release.

Sentencing Woodward, Judge Rufus Taylor called him: “The worst I’ve seen for some while.”

The vile sex offender was charged with two counts of rape of a child under 13, and 20 charges of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Woodward was further charged with 14 counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and with making indecent images of a child, including the most graphic of category A content, as well as category B and C.

He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life, banning him from unsupervised contact with children and having electronic devices the can store images unless police can inspect it.

‘Woodward’s behaviour has impacted countless lives’

Detective Inspector Antony Preston, from the Paedophile Online Investigation Team, praised the brave young victims who came forward to put the horrific criminal behind bars.

He said: “Woodward’s behaviour has impacted countless lives, and I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the bravery and courage of these young victims who have helped put this man behind bars for a long time.

“I would urge those using social media to speak out should they feel threatened or intimidated online, using online reporting functions or contacting Police to report such behaviour.

“This investigation and sentencing shows that there is no place for such vile behaviour. We will work tirelessly to ensure child sex abusers face the consequences of their actions.“If there is anyone reading this who has been a victim of child sex abuse, I would encourage you to speak to us. We will do everything we can to support you.”