Devon sex offender jailed for online abuse of young girls
Miles Goninon sentenced to 12 years for inciting sexual acts and possession of indecent images
A 29-year-old man from Devon has been sentenced to 12 years behind bars after targeting young girls online, encouraging them to share indecent images and self-harm.
Miles Goninon, from the Winkleigh area, was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court after pleading guilty to 25 serious offences, including engaging in sexual communications with children and possession of child abuse material.
The court heard that Goninon used Snapchat to gain the trust of vulnerable young girls before exploiting them.
Detectives discovered thousands of indecent images and videos on multiple devices linked to Goninon, as well as explicit conversations with numerous children.
Police executed a warrant at Goninon's residence in June 2024 following intelligence that an account associated with his email was enticing a child online for explicit content.
Goninon denied any criminal misconduct during interviews.
Detective Inspector Simon Foster described the investigation as complex, commending officers for their dedication to identifying and safeguarding affected children.
Goninon faced a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.
Victims came from various parts of the world; however, not all have been identified yet.
Inspector Foster appealed to potential victims who may have encountered Goninon to come forward for police support and assistance.
Support is available for those affected, including through Victim Support and various helplines.
Detective Foster reinforced that the police are vigilant in prosecuting those who exploit children online, stating, "For those tempted to engage in this type of behaviour, our message is simple: we are watching you, you will be caught."