Whitby teenager sent explicit images to girl on social apps

Rowan Brewster was sentenced at York Crown Court on Wednesday

A teenager who sent sexually explicit images of himself to a young girl on social media apps has been given a suspended jail term.

Rowan Brewster, 19, of Dundas Gardens in Whitby, North Yorkshire, sent the girl photo and video messages in 2022.

He admitted sexual communication with the girl and making indecent photos or pseudo photos of children.

At York Crown Court on Wednesday, Brewster was given an eight-month jail sentence suspended for two years.

He was also given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and told to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.

'Real dangers'

The girl, who was under 16, was left "traumatised" by the messages and confided in a friend who reported it to North Yorkshire Police, the force said.

Police interviewed Brewster, who was 18 at the time, and he admitted the offence.

During court proceedings, he also admitted causing the girl to watch or look at images of sexual activity.

Paul Thompson, from North Yorkshire Police, said: "The young victim in this case has suffered greatly and I hope she can now begin to rebuild her life.

"This case highlights the very real dangers associated with online child abuse and the normalisation of sharing sexually explicit images online which can lead to prosecutions."