South Tyneside Paedophile jailed after police investigation
A South Tyneside paedophile who committed multiple sexual offences against a child has been jailed.
A South Tyneside paedophile who committed multiple sexual offences against a child has been jailed.
Northumbria Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) – a dedicated team working to protect vulnerable children – acted on intelligence and began investigating Simon Bell in 2023.
Officers soon identified a string of offences by Bell against a girl from Australia, who had been groomed online by him.
The 32-year-old was arrested in May 2023.
He was later charged with seven offences: two counts of causing/inciting a child under 13 to engage in a sexual act, three counts of making indecent images of children, one count of causing a child under 13 to watch sexual activity and one count of sexual communication with a child under 16.
Bell pleaded guilty to all of the offences at Newcastle Crown Court in March 2026.
He appeared at the same court today where he was sentenced to three years and four months behind bars.
Bell will also be made to sign the Sex Offenders Register and was made subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Speaking after 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.”
Anyone who has been the victim of any form of sexual abuse – whether recent or non-recent – can contact police using the ‘Report’ pages of the Northumbria Police website, by using the Live Chat function on the website, or by sending a direct message on social media.