Justin Swaddle

Justin Swaddle, aged 20 and from Meanwood, Leeds, was sentenced to two years in prison at Leeds Crown Court on 10 August 2026. Swaddle pleaded guilty to three counts of inciting a child into engaging in a sexual activity and one count of blackmail. The investigation by the National Crime Agency identified that Swaddle, while aged 17, targeted over 100 victims globally via social media platforms, using threats and coercion to force victims into sexual acts and self-harm.

His Honour Judge Peter Kelson KC described the offences as extreme, noting that Swaddle operated within an online 'Com group' to gain notoriety by sharing harmful content. The court heard that Swaddle coerced victims by threatening to release private images or disclose personal information to schools and parents.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Swaddle is subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and is required to register as a sex offender.