"Disgusting" - Jarrow paedophile who urged eight-year-old girl in Australia to carry out sex acts is jailed

A paedophile who encouraged an eight-year-old girl in Australia to carry out sex acts during "horrific" online abuse has been put behind bars.

Simon Bell called the child his "naughty" little girlfriend and referred to himself as "daddy" while instructing her to send him graphic sexual images of herself.

A judge has said the victim is the youngest he has ever seen in this type of case.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Bell's offending was exposed when police raided his home in South Tyneside in May 2023 and seized his internet devices.

Prosecutor Liam O'Brien said: "One of the devices, a mobile phone belonging to the defendant was found to contain a series of sexual messages that the defendant had exchanged with an identified eight-year-old child, along with indecent videos and photographs of children."

Mr O'Brien said the eight-year-old lives in Australia and added: "They are horrific messages, frankly.

"It was clear from the outset, when the messages were examined, that the defendant was aware of the age of the girl, if not exact age then the rough age she was."

Mr O'Brien said the first contact Bell had with the girl was to ask: "Hey there sexy, what is your age?

"What is your age babe, you look young?"

The court heard Bell sent the child six graphic photographs and was then told by the child that she was aged eight.

Mr O'Brien said: "His response wasn't to stop sending messages to her, it was 'wow, really, eight year old'."

The court heard Bell, who pretended he was a teenager during the messages, asked the child if she was a "naughty girl" and encouraged her to "make daddy happy" by sending sexual images, which she did.

Mr O'Brien said Bell asked for more images and told the child: "Keep being my naughty little gf for daddy."

As well as the images of the eight-year-old, Bell's devices contained 87 further images of child abuse from the internet, featuring victims as young as three.

The contact with the eight-year-old lasted for a period of three days.

Bell, 32, of Jarrow, South Tyneside, admitted two charges of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, one of causing a child to watch a sexual act, one of sexual communication with a child, breach of a sexual risk order and three of making indecent images.

Jason Smith, defending, said Bell, a warehouse worker, is an "extremely vulnerable individual" who has autism and learning difficulties.

Mr Smith told the court: "He is 32 but he is not 32, he is a child in an adult's body.

"He believed he could have a girlfriend across the other side of the planet that he would never meet."

Mr Smith said Bell, who has physical problems including heart disease and has had multiple surgeries, would struggle and be vulnerable in custody.

Recorder Paul Reid sentenced Bell to 40 months behind bars, with a sexual harm prevention order and sex offender registration requirements.

The recorder said: "This child in these circumstances is the youngest I have ever come across."

Recorder Reid told Bell: "You are someone who, having accessed legal adult pornography, was draw into his disgusting environment because you simply found yourself unable to stop.

"You were drawn into this but you went into it willingly."

Speaking after Simon Bell’s sentencing, Detective Constable Geraldine Whitfield, of Northumbria Police, said: “I want to thank the extraordinary bravery shown by the young victim in this case.

“She has demonstrated remarkable strength in coming forward and supporting this investigation, despite the deeply distressing ordeal she suffered.

“Her courage has been central to ensuring this offender has now been brought to justice.”

Det Con Whitfield added: “Protecting vulnerable people is a key priority of our work, and we remain committed to ensuring that offenders such as Bell are identified and held to account.

“If you have been a victim, or if you’re concerned about someone who may be at risk, please come forward. We will listen to you and we will believe you.”