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A MONSTER has been sentenced to prison for encouraging a schoolgirl to self-harm through fake Snapchat accounts after providing her with razor blades.
In a groundbreaking case, a 42-year-old man has become the first individual to be convicted for encouraging a child to self-harm.
Karl Davies, 42, is the first in the UK to be sentenced for encouraging a child to self-harm.Credit: PA
Davies provided a 14-year-old girl with a razor for the purpose of self-harm.Credit: Greater Manchester Police
Karl Davies from Wirral has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after encouraging a 14-year-old girl to self-harm while sexually abusing her.
The perpetrator groomed and manipulated his victim using six different accounts, adopting various identities.
Stacey Gosling from the CPS stated, “As an experienced prosecutor of grooming cases, I have never before witnessed such sophisticated methods used to target a young person.”
Davies is the first to be prosecuted for encouraging or assisting self-harm involving a child under the Online Safety Act 2023.
The offences began in June 2023, when Davies used an account under the name “Ben” to message the girl, who was just 13 at the time.
This quickly escalated to image sharing, with “Ben” urging the girl to share images with another account named “Chris.”
Over the following weeks, several accounts contacted the girl, appearing and disappearing at various times, with phone calls and further image sharing occurring.
All the accounts were operated by Karl Davies.
These accounts alternated between blackmailing her into sending indecent images and pretending to be supportive of her struggles.
At one point, the girl was asked to send videos of herself harming herself, using items encouraged by the accounts.
By June 2024, one of the accounts under the name “Sean” told the girl she had to meet his friend “Mark” to engage in sexual acts.
That same month, under the alias “Mark,” Davies traveled from his home in Wirral to pick up the girl, who was then 14 and in her school uniform.
The horrific abuse continued throughout June and July, during which he sometimes instructed the girl to send videos of their acts to other accounts.
Throughout this time, some accounts encouraged the girl to harm herself.
Davies even provided her with a razor during one of their meet-ups for the purpose of self-harm.
An investigation was initiated in January 2025 after the brave schoolgirl came forward to Greater Manchester Police.
Davies was arrested on February 11 of this year at his family home, where he had concealed his abuse from his wife and children, pretending to travel for work.
Detective Sergeant Robert Griffiths from GMP’s Stockport district remarked, “Davies callously and methodically exploited a vulnerable girl, subjecting her to horrific abuse and degrading acts.”
He commended the victim, saying “her bravery and resilience in providing information to officers was truly courageous,” assuring that she will continue to receive the support she needs.
Stacey Gosling, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, stated, “Karl Davies went to great lengths to hide his identity and positioned himself as the child’s protector when he was anything but.
“He groomed the girl using six different Snapchat accounts, initially luring her in with compliments and building her trust, before resorting to threats when she refused to share explicit materials and comply with his demands.
“He also encouraged her to self-harm, showing no regard for the lasting impact his vile and cruel abuse would have on his young victim.
“I can only hope that as Davies begins his prison sentence, the victim can start to heal, knowing her abuser has been brought to justice.”
He previously pleaded guilty to seventeen charges at his plea hearing at Manchester Crown Court on May 22.
This included ten counts of sexual activity with a child, four counts of grooming, and two counts of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence—he also pleaded guilty to encouraging or assisting serious self-harm.
This offence is among the first prosecuted in the country and marks the first case prosecuted involving a child under the Online Safety Act 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Karl Davies convicted of?
Karl Davies was convicted of multiple offences including encouraging a child to self-harm, sexual activity with a child, and grooming.
How long was Davies sentenced to prison?
Davies was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his crimes.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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