A MAN from Reading has been jailed for 15 years and placed on the sex offenders register following a police investigation.
Dean Yates, 34 and from Reading, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment at Reading Crown Court on Monday, July 31, as well as an extended five years on license.
This means that he is to be sent back to prison for any breach of the law for five years after serving the sentence.
He was also handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
It follows previous hearings where Yates pleaded guilty to two counts each of sexual assault, making indecent photographs of a child, and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.
He also pleaded guilty to one count each of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, possessing an extreme pornographic image, and distributing indecent photographs of a child.
The offences all took place in various locations, including some outdoor locations in Berkshire.
The first victim was a young teenage girl who was contacted on social media by Yates using an alias profile.
He instructed her to add an account under his real name on social media, before instructing her to meet him, perform and record sexual acts, and send them to him.
The victim refused and reported the offences to the police.
A second victim was identified as a result of a search warrant was conducted at Yates’ home, where a number of electronic devices were seized.
Evidence of further indecent images and videos featuring a number of young girls was found on Yates’ phone.
One of the victims was identified, and explained that she had befriended an account on social media who acquired indecent images of her by accessing her account.
She was also compelled to send more images and videos and was forced into meeting with Yates, who sexually touched her without consent, and she was also made to touch him.
Yates was subsequently charged on Monday, June 27 last year.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Rachel Belsher, of Reading CID, said: “Yates’ behaviour towards these two young victims was absolutely abhorrent.
“He used social media to stalk and harass his victims, forcing them to meet him, and in some cases, perform sexual acts.
“He used the possession of images that he procured as a method of coercing his victims into meeting with him for his own sexual gratification.”
She explained: “He identified himself to victims, who courageously reported him to the police.
“Over the course of this lengthy investigation, his victims have displayed dignity and patience while we gathered the evidence necessary to bring him to justice.
“I would like to thank the victims and the witnesses involved for their bravery in supporting our investigation.
“Yates’ will also have to sign the sex offenders’ register as a result of his actions, and has a lengthy term of imprisonment to reflect upon his actions.”
