Firefighter paid children to send him naked photos

Robert Stevenson denied the charges but was found guilty following a trial

A firefighter who paid children to send him naked pictures of themselves has been jailed for seven years.

Robert Stevenson, 31, previously of Long Eaton in Derbyshire, "trawled through social media" offering girls money for explicit images while working for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Detectives said Stevenson had been talking to children "in a sexual manner right across the country".

He was found guilty following a trial at Derby Crown Court and ordered to sign the sex offenders register as part of his sentencing on Friday.

Stevenson sent a photo of himself in his work uniform to one of his victims, claiming to be 19, Derbyshire Police said.

An investigation was launched when one of his victims, a 15-year-old girl, told police officers Stevenson threatened to post an explicit image of her online.

Police said he had spoken to the victim on Instagram, asking her if "she wanted to make £100".

The conversation moved to Snapchat with Stevenson telling her he was 17 after she told him she was 17, the force added.

Stevenson sent this picture to one of his victims, claiming to be 19

Stevenson was arrested and checks on his devices found he had been messaging a number of girls, and paid several of them to send him photos and videos of themselves.

Analysis of his bank account found numerous payments he had made to several girls, police said.

He was later charged and found guilty of three counts of cause/incite the sexual exploitation of a child aged 13 to 17, three counts of cause/incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, and making an indecent photo/pseudo photograph of a child.

Child sexual exploitation supervisor Det Sgt Sophie Draycott said: "This has been a long investigation which revealed Stevenson has been communicating with children in a sexual manner right across the country.

"His behaviour was appalling and repeated so I am pleased that he has now been brought to justice for his crimes and is serving a prison sentence.

"I'd also like to thank all the victims for their bravery and support throughout the case."

Stevenson appeared at Derby Crown Court on Friday for sentencing

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed Stevenson was employed with them from June 2018 until November 2019, when he was suspended pending a police investigation.

A formal dismissal hearing was arranged for June 2020, but Stevenson submitted his resignation from May 2020 while he was still under investigation.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "All employees with a public-facing role are now subject to enhanced DBS checks and are trusted within the communities we serve.

"Former firefighter Robert Stevenson breached the trust of our communities by committing the significant offences for which he has now been sentenced."