Scotland Tonight, Aoife's story: 'I was targeted by an online predator aged 15, I didn't know where to turn'

Five years ago, aged just 15, Aoife found herself targeted by an online predator.

Busy studying for her national five exams, she also spent a lot of time online and on social media.

She describes her use of social platforms as “second nature” and “everyone had it”.

While chatting online with a boy who she thought was her age, he asked her to download another app that was an encrypted private messenger.

“After we were messaging a while, he asked for pictures of myself. And I did it. I was 15,” Aoife told Scotland Tonight.

But the tone of the conversation changed after she shared an intimate photo of herself.

“He said he was much older than me, that he was 22. He had a degree in cyber security. The way he described himself was that he was untouchable and he was so powerful it didn’t matter what I did.”

Aoife immediately experienced further threats as the man demanded more pictures of her.

“I remember the bit that gave me the shock of my life was (he told me) if you don’t comply, I’ll send these photos you’ve already sent me to your Facebook family and friends.

“I just felt like, you know in the movies when someone’s alone and everything just turns black. Mum and dad were down the hall and my sisters in their bedrooms, but I felt like the only person in the world.

“One minute you’re 15 and having fun on a social media app and then the next thing you’re suddenly in so much trouble. You feel like you’re the only person in the world and you don’t know where to turn with it.”

Despite being filled with panic and dread, Aoife remembered a helpline she’d been told about in school.

Her abuser was still bombarding her with threats and demands but she managed to convince him she was logging off to go to sleep as she had school in the morning.

She logged onto the CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) website and had the presence of mind and courage to report what had happened.

The following day, Aoife’s teacher phoned her dad.

“He sat me down and said the school had just phoned. They said you reported an incident that happened last night, tell me about it.

“And then I just broke down. It was difficult. It’s one thing knowing this person has all this power over you and pictures of you.

“It’s another thing having to admit to your mum and dad. But after I told them they were very supportive and my dad was like ‘we’ll phone the police and let them deal with it.'”

After an 18-month investigation by the police and National Crime Agency, Aoife’s abuser, a man from West Sussex, was tracked down.

Jordan Croft admitted 65 offences against 26 girls and women aged between 12 and 22. In 2022, he was jailed for 18 years and will spend another eight years on licence.

Aoife joined the other victims in court and they held hands as he was brought to justice.

She now volunteers for the NSPCC and wants to use her experience to help others. Seeing her abuser convicted has helped her realise what happened wasn’t her fault.

“My abuser’s already in jail, he doesn’t have power over me,” said Aoife. “I can turn something disgusting and horrible into a good thing where I can help other people.”

Her advice to others is clear.

“Just tell anyone. Tell someone that you trust, someone you think will look after you. That will probably be one of the hardest conversations of your life but it’s so worth it.”

NSPCC (Childline) – children and young people can call 0800 11 11. It’s a free service, available 24/7.

Adults concerned about a child can call 0808 800 5000 (available 10am-4pm), email help@NSPCC.org.uk or visit www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/nspcc-helpline/.

If you’ve been a victim online sexual abuse, it’s not your fault. If you’re at immediate risk of harm, call 999 or 101.

Or you can go to ceop.police.uk to make a report to a child protection advisor. You’ll also find lots of resources for children and young people of all ages, as well as advice and guidance for parents, carers and education professionals.

Aoife will tell her story in a special edition of STV’s Scotland Tonight programme on Thursday, December 12 at 8.30pm on STV and STV Player.