Man jailed after inciting and blackmailing more than 150 children to share explicit content online

A prolific child sex offender has been jailed after grooming more than 150 children online.

Siah Riley was first arrested in November 2023 after the force received information that he was blackmailing and inciting two children into sexual activity and may be in possession of indecent images.

He was taken into police custody, and his devices were seized.

Following a police interview Riley was released on bail, pending further enquiries. He was handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) following admissions he made during interview and due to the fact that he had previously been convicted of rape.

The SHPO placed prohibitions on Riley’s use of electronic devices and meant he had to declare any such devices and related passwords to officers.

During an examination of Riley’s laptop police unearthed a huge catalogue of material relating to online child sex offences against at 152 victims, from around the world, between January 2021 and October 2023.

It emerged that Riley had been contacting underage teenage girls on an online platform, before moving the conversations to SnapChat where he pretended to be a child of the same age as them.

Riley used the following SnapChat usernames when speaking with his victims -- ‘King Josh’, ‘Josh King’ and ‘Kim Queen’.

He would then go on to groom victims encouraging them to send images and videos of themselves undressed and engaging in sexual acts.

From April 2023, Riley began blackmailing victims who refused to send him videos of them performing explicit sexual acts.

By this point he had already groomed his victims to such an extent that they had sent him nude images, and he threatened to share these online if they did not do exactly as he said.

Riley screen recorded his SnapChat conversations which included his requests, chat logs, and explicit content that he had coerced from victims, and saved it on his laptop.

The 35-year-old was rearrested in February 2025 and subsequently charged and remanded.

He admitted the following offences, which all related to the initial police report:

• 5x counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• 5x counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child
• 2x counts of blackmail
• 2x breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention order
• 6x counts of making indecent images of children – all relating to the initial report to police.

Due to the scale of his offending the indictment against Riley was split into two.

He appeared at court on 18 February 2026 to answer the following charges:

• 117x counts of causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• 22x counts of blackmail
• 5x counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child
• 1x count of arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence

Riley, formerly of Walbrook Road, Derby, admitted all offences and appeared at Derby Crown Court today (Thursday 7 May) for sentencing.

He was handed a 25-year jail term – with an extended six-year licence.

Detective Staff Investigator Georgia Harries, who led the investigation said: “This is one of, if not the most prolific case of online sexual offending against children that we have seen in Derbyshire.

“Riley was calculating and manipulative, befriending young girls and making them believe he was the same age as them.

“He took a twisted pleasure in controlling his victims and coercing them to perform ever more explicit acts, for his own sexual gratification.

“When some victims refused, he threatened to share images of them online. A prospect which must have been truly degrading and frightening.

“I’ve no doubt that Riley’s offending will have left a lasting impact on his victims, but I hope that today’s sentencing offers them some closure as they move forward with their lives.”

Deputy Senior Investigating Officer in the case Detective Sergeant Richard Foster added:

“The sheer scale and seriousness of Riley’s offending is shocking and exposes the vulnerability of children in online environments.

“This was not opportunistic behaviour.

“It was deliberate, calculated and sustained abuse, carried out against more than 100 children.

“Although Riley has now been jailed - the damage caused by his actions should not be underestimated. These offences have a lasting impact on victims and their families, and the harm does not simply end with a conviction.

“This case is a sobering reminder that the internet, while offering many benefits, is also being actively exploited by individuals who use it as a tool to commit serious sexual offences against children.

“Offenders like Riley deliberately seek out online spaces where they believe children are least protected and most at risk.

“Children have an absolute right to feel safe online. They should be able to use digital platforms without fear of abuse, coercion or exploitation.

“Sadly, cases like this show that there are those who will go to extreme lengths to violate that trust.

“I would strongly urge parents and carers to take this opportunity to have frank and ongoing conversations with their children about online safety.

“Ask yourselves whether you know which websites, games and applications your children are using, who they are communicating with, and whether appropriate privacy and safety settings are in place.

“Children need clear, age‑appropriate information to help them recognise risks, understand boundaries, and know how and where to seek help.

“We will continue to pursue those who commit these abhorrent offences, but we all have a responsibility to protect children and it’s crucial that awareness, engagement and an open dialogue begin at home.”

There is more information and links to resources on our website: Online child abuse | Derbyshire Constabulary.