Xbox Paedophile Jailed in Wakefield.
A paedophile who groomed a vulnerable 10-year-old boy on Xbox, making weird sex noises during chats and pressuring him into explicit acts, has been jailed for three years.
Ziggy Forde, 25, of Agbrigg Road, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, befriended the child via the gaming console before launching a campaign of online grooming and abuse.
Leeds Crown Court heard that Forde sent the boy a friend request in 2024. What began as normal gaming quickly turned sinister when Forde started making disturbing sexual noises. The boy became so uncomfortable that he tried to end contact.
Forde refused to accept rejection. He bombarded the youngster with messages, coaxing him back into conversations where the abuse escalated. He warned the boy not to tell anyone or he would get into trouble, then pushed sexualised truth or dare games, demanded the child expose himself, and exposed his own genitals on camera.
When police raided his home, officers discovered a collection of indecent images of children, including the most serious Category A material involving rape.
Forde pleaded guilty to causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual communications with a child, and multiple counts of possessing indecent images.
In mitigation, his lawyer cited Forde’s ADHD and possible autism, describing him as a lonely and isolated individual.
Passing sentence, Recorder Simon Jackson KC said: "I’m satisfied you knew exactly what you were doing. It was planned and prolonged. You groomed and coerced this young boy. Only immediate custody is appropriate in this case."
Forde was sentenced to three years in prison, placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years, and made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order restricting his contact with children and internet use.
Under standard rules for sentences of this type in England and Wales, he will typically serve half the term, around 18 months in custody before automatic release on licence under strict supervision.
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