Teacher Jailed for Posing as Girl to Exploit Children Online

A former primary school teacher has been jailed after posing as a young girl online to manipulate children into sending explicit images. 📱⚖️

Daniel Fuge, 38, of Prospect Road, Dorchester, formerly of Wrexham, was sentenced to ten years in prison at Mold Crown Court on Monday, 31 March after being found guilty of making indecent images and three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The court heard how Fuge persistently pressured two boys for explicit material on Snapchat, before inciting one to send a video carrying out a sexual act. The material of one of the victims was later circulated around his school.

At the time of the offences, Fuge had been working as a primary school teacher in Saudi Arabia and posed as the young girl online when he returned home during school holidays. He used a device running a virtual private network (VPN) to hide his location and identity.

Following a meticulous police investigation, his devices were seized from his parents’ home in Wrexham, leading to the identification of additional victims.

Detective Constable James Hughes, who led the investigation said: “I would like to praise the victims in this case for their bravery and courage throughout this investigation.

“Daniel Fuge stole their innocence away as he posed as a young girl to trick and deceive them into sending explicit images to satisfy his own warped sexual desires.

“The messages recovered as part of the investigation evidenced that he was aware his victims were just children at the time, but despite this, he continued his predatory behaviour.

“He has shown no regard for the effects his actions have had on the victims or their families.

“I urge anyone who has ever experienced something similar to get in touch with us and not suffer in silence. You will be listened to and supported by police.”

Fuge was made subject to sex offenders register notification requirements and a sexual harm prevention order, both indefinitely. He is also barred from working with children and vulnerable adults, and given a 10-year restraining order prohibiting him from contacting his victims.