Online sex offender jailed after being caught with over 3,000 indecent images of children

An online paedophile who was caught with over 3,000 indecent images and videos of underage boys has been jailed.

Predatory Alexander Troth actively sought children online to groom, then encourage to engage in sexual activity over the internet which he would watch, record and distribute to others.

He was arrested after West Midland Police’s specialist Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team (OCSET) acted on information that he’d uploaded images during summer 2020.

Officers then found more than 2,100 indecent videos as well as hundreds of photographs across his laptop and mobile phone.

The 30-year-old from Aldridge, in Walsall, admitted 16 offences relating to inciting a child aged 13 to 15 to engage in or watch sexual activity, possessing indecent images of children and publishing an obscene article between 2011 and 2020.

He was jailed for six years and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life at Birmingham Crown Court last Wednesday (30 March).

Despite having previously worked with children, police said they found no evidence of any inappropriate relationships or imagery of those who’d been within his care.

DC Helen Henry, from OCSET within the force’s Public Protection Unit, said: “While Troth hadn’t physically abused children, he’d gained sexual gratification in looking at sickening images of young people being exploited.

“It’s important to remember for each child abuse image there is a child who has suffered. This is a serious crime and we’ve specialist officers who are trained in catching offenders and putting them behind bars.”

If you’re a survivor of rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse and need support, you can contact the Survivors Trust on 08088 010818.