A NATIONAL children’s charity has called for social media companies to take action after a paedophile used a friend’s Facebook identity to share child abuse images.
Stuart Sargent, 32, of Albert Road, Southend, set up a fake account on messaging app Kik using a female friend’s picture and sent innocent images of her little girl to other men.
He then shared more than 100 vile photos and movies of child sexual abuse and also received hundreds of similar images. Sargent was jailed for three years at Basildon Crown Court last week.
An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Sargent went to great lengths to access images of children being subjected to the most depraved abuse.
“While Sargent has been brought to justice, social network providers and other technology platforms must do more to keep children safe.
“They must realise that they are used to distribute online child sexual abuse images and make a serious commitment to tackling the problem.”
Anyone with concerns about a child can call 0808 800 5000. Children can contact Childline anytime on 0800 1111.
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