Danny Mackney subjected his young victim to countless instances of sexual abuse between 2018 and 2020. Mackney, of Harman Drive, Sidcup, Greater London groomed his victim before bombarding them with sexually explicit messages and images, demanding they then send some in return.

He was arrested in November 2020 and pleaded not guilty at Woolwich Crown Court to two counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of making indecent images of a child. Mackney was convicted following a trial and sentenced on Friday 26 January 2024, to four years and six months’ imprisonment. The 37-year-old will also be subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Josh Whitehead, of the West Kent Child Protection Team, said: ‘Mackney knowingly groomed a child before subjecting them to repeated abuse over an extended period of time. This criminal gave no consideration to the impact his vile actions would have on his victim, thinking only of his own gratification.

‘It is to the victim’s considerable credit that they had the courage to support our investigation throughout and provide compelling evidence that ensured a sexual predator is now behind bars.’