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A 32-year-old man who created 45 different Snapchat accounts in a "calculated" bid to groom and sexually exploit vulnerable teenage girls in Jersey has been jailed for eight-and-a-half years.
Matthew Snepp identified and targeted his victims online.
He created both male and female Snapchat accounts, posing as individuals under 18, to contact young users.
The police described Snepp's crimes as "calculated" and said their investigation revealed the dangers posed by social media for young islanders.
Crown Advocate Adam Harrison, prosecuting, told the Royal Court today that Snepp had contacted the first girl, Miss A, when she was 14, but when he sent her pictures in which he looked older than her, she stopped talking to him.
Pictured: Snepp was sentenced in the Royal Court this afternoon.
He added her again, using a different name, and sent her photographs of himself, the court heard. They eventually met and Snepp took the victim into a field near her home and sexually assaulted her.
The girl later said: “I didn’t know how to stop it, so I just let it happen.”
Miss B was 15 when Snepp added her on the app, telling her he was 19.
He asked for pictures and when she refused, he became aggressive and threatened her.
The court heard how she then sent nude and sexualised photos and videos, but had a “feeling of dread” the next morning that things were “not right” and that she “had done something very wrong”. A friend advised her to block Snepp and to tell her mother what had happened. Miss B’s mother then contacted the police.
Miss C – who was the victim of “the most serious grooming” in the case – was 15 when Snepp first added her on Snapchat, at which point he claimed to be 13.
The conversation started with small talk, but Snepp quickly moved to asking her sexual questions. The teenager reported being “disgusted” and “freaked out”.
Miss D was 15 when Snepp spoke to her, asking whether she was a virgin and about her “body count”.
Pictured: Snepp used social media, Snapchat primarily, and used fake information to set up more than 40 accounts, leading to a complex investigation.
When she said she was only 15, the defendant replied “sure, idc”, which is short for “I don’t care”.
He was also sentenced this afternoon for perverting the course of justice.
He had been accused of raping an 18-year-old, Miss X, and was on bail but messaged her despite one of his bail conditions being not to contact her.
The court heard how the incidents affected the victims: one reported her performance at school had worsened, while another stopped trusting male teachers and was scared of using her phone as she couldn’t be sure about who she was speaking to.
Advocate Sarah Dale, defending, highlighted previous trauma that her client had faced in mitigation.
Snepp was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison for seven sexual offences, comprising unlawful sexual intercourse with an older child, two counts of sexual penetration of an older child, causing a sexual act with an older child and three counts of sexual grooming of a child.
Following Snepp's sentencing today, Detective Constable Verity Thomas said: “This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by offenders who use social media platforms to exploit young and vulnerable individuals.
“The courage of the victims who came forward has been vital in bringing this offender to justice, and we thank them for their bravery.”
Watch: DC Verity Thomas speaking to Express after the sentencing.
DC Thomas added: “Our priority is to safeguard the vulnerable and bring perpetrators of such crimes to justice. We encourage anyone who suspects grooming or exploitation to report it immediately.
“The States of Jersey Police will listen, investigate, and with their partners, provide support every step of the way.”
Commissioner Alan Binnington was presiding, along with Jurats Dulake, Le Cornu, Le Heuzé, Entwistle and Berry.
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Parents and guardians are urged to talk openly with their children about the risks of online interactions and to monitor their use of social media. Key safety advice includes:
Avoid sharing personal details or images online.
Be cautious about accepting friend requests from unknown individuals.
Report suspicious activity or interactions to the police or safeguarding agencies.
Islanders affected by any of the issues raised in this report can contact any of the following:
States of Jersey Police – Anyone with concerns or information related to grooming or sexual offences is encouraged to contact the States of Jersey Police on 612612.
SARC at Dewberry House provides expert independent and confidential support to victims of sexual abuse. Tel: 01534 888222.
Jersey Action Against Rape (JAAR) provide and maintain a supporting framework for survivors and their families. Confidential helpline: 01534 482800.
Freeda (formerly Jersey Women’s Refuge) offer help and support for victims of domestic abuse. Tel: 0800 7356836.
Jersey Domestic Abuse Support (JDAS) is an independent service developed to protect and support victims of domestic and sexual abuse. Tel: 01534 880505.
Victim Support offer free and confidential advice to victims of crime. Tel: 01534 440496.
Victims First Jersey is a free and independent service offering confidential support to victims and witnesses of crime. Tel: 0800 7351612.
Samaritans offer a confidential and non-judgemental listening ear to people who need to talk. Tel: 116 123 free from any phone or 0330 094 5717 (local call charges apply).
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