Vile sex predator snared after young boy's mum found 'concerning' text on phone

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A vile Kilmarnock sex predator who filmed himself abusing a young boy was caught after the victim’s mum spotted ‘concerning’ text messages on her child’s phone.Daniel Sneddon, 27, has now been jailed for more than 13 years after admitting a raft of child abuse charges including four counts of rape.Sneddon began grooming the boy in the spring of 2021 when his victim was just 10-years-old.

He would bribe the child, who is from Warrington, Cheshire, by offering to buy him things in order to sexually assault him.The abuse continued until February 2023 when the child’s mother discovered text messages from the beast on her son’s phone and alerted the police.

Investigating officers later discovered video footage of Sneddon abusing the child on the paedophile’s mobile phone.Despite denying the allegations, he was charged with engaging in sexual activity with a child, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, four counts of rape of a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, and possession of indecent photographs of a child.After pleading guilty, Sneddon was jailed for a total of 13 years and six months with a further four years on licence at Chester Crown Court on Monday, October 9.Detective Constable Neil Mooney, of Warrington CID, said: “This has been a complex and lengthy investigation which ultimately uncovered Sneddon’s despicable behaviour.“It was apparent throughout the investigation that Sneddon is a sexual predator who preyed on a vulnerable young boy and had no regard for the effects his actions would have on the victim or his family.“When interviewed, Sneddon showed no remorse and failed to account for his actions.