Jail for Rugby man who sent explicit images to teenage girls and threatened to rape them if they blocked him

A Rugby man who sent sexually explicit pictures and rape threats to teenage girls and a woman over social media has been jailed.

At Warwickshire Crown Court yesterday, Thursday May 21, Blake McCauley was sentenced to eight years in prison.

In autumn 2018, the 29-year-old communicated online with eight girls aged between 14 and 16, and an 18-year-old woman.

McCauley, now 30, of St. Andrew's Crescent, was arrested at his home address in March 2018 by officers from the Rugby Serious and Complex Crime Team.

Officers found evidence he had sent sexual images and other indecent images to the females, and threatened to rape some of them if they blocked him on social media.

The youngest victim was a 14-year-old girl from Rugby.

Using his real name, McCauley attempted to groom the girl, who he knew was only 14.

Under a false name he then sent her sexual images and a video of a beheading.

Police worked with the social media provider to identify McCauley as the offender and he was arrested.

He was sentenced after previously pleading guilty to six counts of sending a message that is indecent or grossly offensive with intent to cause distress and anxiety, three counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act and one count of sexual communication with a child.

One count of sending a message that is indecent or grossly offensive with intent to cause distress and anxiety, and two counts of distributing indecent images of children were left to lie on file.

McCauley was also ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for life, made subject of a sexual harm prevention order and ordered to have his phones destroyed.

Judge Anthony Potter imposed an extended sentence on McCauley after concluding he posed a serious risk of harm to children.

McCauley was jailed for four years six months extended by three years six months.

Following the sentencing, the brave 14-year-old victim spoke of her ordeal at McCauley’s hands.

She said: “His messages of his threats to follow me and hurt me, plus the type of horrible sexualised abusive images he sent really scared me. I knew he was also messaging other girls too and hurting them in the same way.

“It had a massive impact on my mental health and stopped me from going out to my friends due to the worry he would find me. I felt alone at first dealing with it, but I reached out and got help. I reported the account to the police, and they supported me, tracking him down and prosecuting him.

“I want to thank Rugby CID for their hard work in bringing him to court, and ensuring today’s outcome. I also want to thanks Barnardos for all their CSE [Child Sexual Exploitation] support and help to get my confidence back. Finally my thanks to RoSa for helping me cope with my feelings and helping me feel safe again.”

Following the sentencing, Police Staff Investigator Marcella Forrest from the Rugby Serious and Complex Crime Team said: “Blake McCauley is the definition of a sexual predator who targeted girls he knew to be underage, sending them sexualised images.

"When they rejected his advances he subjected them to the most outrageous threats.

“Once we received reports of these offences we immediately launched a thorough enquiry and identified McCauley as the offender.

"We gathered evidence of his predatory behaviour which ultimately led to this sentencing.

“All the victims have been offered support by specially trained staff at Warwickshire Police, social services, Barnardos, and RoSa [Rape or Sexual Abuse support].

“McCauley is a dangerous man who subjected young girls to the most horrific messaging and threats that had the most appalling impact on them.

“McCauley had cleared one of his phones and refused to give investigators the pin numbers for other devices. At every turn he tried to thwart this investigation but our persistence and commitment to the victims led to him being convicted.

“I would like to pay tribute to the victims; their bravery ensured McCauley was brought to justice and I hope today’s sentence gives them some comfort.

“We remain committed to identifying perpetrators of online child sex abuse and bringing them to justice. I’d encourage any victims or anyone who is concerned about someone being exploited to contact police.”

If you have or are being sexually exploited or believe another child is being sexually exploited you should call police on 101.

If a crime is in progress call 999.

You can also call the Warwickshire Multi-Agency Sexual Exploitation Team on 01926 684490.

You can also contact Childline on 0800 1111.

If you want to report a crime anonymously call Crimestoppers UK on 0800 555 111.

For more information go to warwickshirecse.co.uk