Sick rapist paedophile poses as child and grooms 152 kids in ‘most prolific’ horror case | UK | News

A sick pedophile previously convicted of rape has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for educating more than 150 children online. Siah Riley, 35, described as calculating and prolific, posed as a minor and blackmailed minors into sending him explicit images and videos on social media; These included videos of children undressing and having sex.

Detective Staff Investigator Georgia Harries, who led the investigation, said it was “one of, if not the most prolific, case of online sexual assault on children that we have seen in Derbyshire”. He said Riley was “calculating and manipulative” and “took perverse pleasure in controlling his victims and forcing them to perform more explicit acts for his own sexual gratification.”

The predator was first arrested in November 2023 after Derbyshire Police were alerted to reports that he had blackmailed two children, encouraged two children to engage in sexual activity and may have indecent images.

Officers gave him a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after he confessed during a police custody interview and because he had a previous conviction for rape. He was released on bail and his devices were seized.

Examination of Riley’s laptop revealed a large catalog of material relating to online child sex crimes against 152 victims worldwide between January 2021 and October 2023.

He had been contacting underage teenage girls online before moving the conversations to Snapchat, where he pretended to be a child of the same age.

Using the usernames ‘King Josh’, ‘Josh King’ and ‘Kim Queen’, the monster continued to groom his victims and encouraged them to send sexually explicit images and videos.

Starting in April 2023, he began blackmailing victims who refused to send him videos of themselves performing explicit sexual acts.

By this point, he had groomed his victims to the point of sending him nude images and threatening to post them online if they did not do exactly as he told them.

Riley screen-recorded Snapchat conversations containing requests, chat logs, and sexually explicit content he extorted from victims and saved them to his laptop.

The 35-year-old man was arrested again in February 2025 and subsequently charged and arrested after a wealth of evidence was uncovered.

At Derby Crown Court on May 7, Riley was sentenced to 25 years in prison with a six-year extended license for a range of offences, including inciting more than 120 children to engage in sexual activity. Riley, formerly of Walbrook Road, Derby, admitted all charges.

He was also convicted of a number of offenses including sexual intercourse with a child, blackmail, breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention order and making indecent images of children, and arranging or facilitating the commission of child sexual offenses.

Detective Sergeant Richard Foster, Deputy Senior Investigating Officer on the case, said: “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 crimes have a lasting impact on victims and their families, and the damage does not just end with a conviction.

“This case is a sobering reminder that although the internet provides many benefits, it is also actively used by individuals who use it as a tool to commit serious sexual offenses against children.”

He said criminals like Riley deliberately seek out online environments where they believe children are least protected and most at risk, and urged parents to be warned about this. Talk to their children about online safety.

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

“Unfortunately, cases like these show that there are those who will go to extreme lengths to breach that trust. I strongly urge parents and carers to take this opportunity to have open and ongoing conversations with their children about online safety.

“Ask yourself what websites, games and apps your children use, who they communicate with, and whether appropriate privacy and security settings are in place.

“Children need clear, age-appropriate information to help them recognize risks, understand limits and know how and where to seek help.

“We will continue to pursue those who commit these heinous crimes, but we all have a responsibility to protect children and it is crucial that awareness, engagement and open dialogue start at home.”