NATHAN CANNING – HALIFAX

❌ NATHAN CANNING – HALIFAX ❌

Teenager Jailed for Coercing Young Girls Online

A Halifax teenager has been detained after coercing two underage girls into sending indecent images and then threatening to distribute them when they attempted to cut contact.

Nathan Canning, who was 18 at the time of the offences, began online conversations with both girls before the exchanges became manipulative and pressurised. When the victims tried to disengage, Canning responded with intimidating messages, warning them that he would forward the images to their families.

In one instance, he contacted a parent directly, claiming to be in possession of images of their child. In the other, he sent further messages implying he would expose the material if communication ceased.

Canning was arrested and later appeared at Bradford Crown Court, where he admitted the following offences:

• Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• Sending malicious communications

The court heard that the victims experienced significant emotional distress as a result of the coercion and threats, describing feelings of fear, anxiety, and pressure throughout the interactions.

The judge sentenced Canning to four years in a young offenders’ institution, highlighting the serious psychological harm caused and the deliberate nature of the manipulation.

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Online Safety Awareness

The case underscores the risks young people face online, particularly when communicating with individuals who exploit digital platforms to groom, threaten, or manipulate.

Parents, carers, and young people are encouraged to report suspicious or coercive online behaviour. Support can be sought from:

📞 CEOP – Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command
📞 NSPCC – Confidential help and advice for children and families