In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through communities in South Wales and beyond, Cory Jones, a 19-year-old from Ynyswen, Rhondda Cynon Taf, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after admitting to a staggering 69 offences involving the sexual abuse of 37 girls online. The sentencing, delivered at Cardiff Crown Court on October 17, 2025, has highlighted the persistent dangers lurking on social media platforms and the devastating consequences for young, vulnerable users.
According to BBC News, Jones’s offences took place between September 2022 and November 2024, when he was aged 17 and 18. The victims, all girls aged between 10 and 16, were targeted through the messaging platform Snapchat, where Jones would sometimes use an alias and lie about his age to gain their trust. Over a period of two years, he groomed his victims—sometimes using fake profiles, sometimes his own identity—before asking them to send explicit photos and videos of themselves.
When some of the children refused his increasingly invasive requests, Jones resorted to blackmail. He threatened to publish previously sent images on social media unless the victims complied, a tactic that left many feeling trapped and terrified. As Metro reports, Jones also sent sexual photos and videos of himself to the children. Upon his arrest, police discovered 172 indecent images of children stored on his phone, underscoring the scale of his predatory behavior.
In court, the emotional toll on the victims became painfully clear. James Wilson, prosecuting, read statements from several of the girls. One victim, who was just 12 years old at the time, said, “When this first happened to me, it made me feel very nervous and upset. I was worried that people would find out what I had done and treat me differently. Since telling the police, I’ve had some counselling… I blame myself for everything, really. I still find it very hard to talk about.” Another added, “I trusted him and I thought he was my friend. He has made me feel stupid for believing everything he said to me.”
Lisa McCarthy from the Crown Prosecution Service described Jones as “deceptive and manipulative, coercing children to engage in acts to satisfy his own sexual gratification and blackmailing some by threatening to publish sexually exploitative images on social media when they refused.” She emphasized the complexity and magnitude of the investigation, stating, “This was a substantial and complex investigation, with the number of child victims quite shocking.”
During sentencing, Judge Jeremy Jenkins did not mince words about the seriousness of the case. He described Jones as a socially isolated “loner” who had been “corrupted by watching pornography,” adding, “You have a completely distorted view of loving relationships and matters sexually.” The judge told Jones, “The effect on those individuals and their families was devastating and the harm that you caused them will remain, I’m quite sure, for many years to come. If ever there was a case that highlights the dangers of children having unsupervised access to social media, then surely this is it. Each was vulnerable, impressionable and naive. You took full advantage and exploited them for your own sexual gratification.”
Jones was given an eight-year sentence, with a minimum term of five years and four months before he is eligible for release. He will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life and is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, imposing strict limits on his future behavior and internet use. According to the South Wales Police, reporting restrictions remain in place to protect the identities of the victims, reflecting the ongoing sensitivity of the case.
Detective Inspector Stuart Prendiville, who led the investigation, was unequivocal in his condemnation of Jones’s actions. “Cory Jones deliberately targeted young women on social media, lying about his age and employing manipulative, deceptive tactics,” he said. “His exploitation of vulnerable children for his own sexual gratification is a stark reminder of the dangers that exist online.” Prendiville also acknowledged the “immense bravery” of the survivors for coming forward and expressed hope that the conviction and sentence would provide “some measure of comfort and justice to those affected.” He urged the public to remain vigilant, adding, “Let this serve as a warning that such predatory behaviour will not be tolerated, and that we must remain vigilant in protecting our children.”
John Ryan, defending, asked the court to consider Jones’s lack of maturity and his age at the time of the offences. He argued that Jones felt genuine remorse for his actions, but the judge was clear that the severity of the harm caused far outweighed any mitigating factors.
The case has prompted renewed calls for greater awareness and supervision of children’s online activities. Judge Jenkins’s remarks struck a chord with parents and educators alike: “If ever there was a case that highlights the dangers of children having unsupervised access to social media, then surely this is it.” The abuse, which occurred almost entirely online, demonstrates how predators can exploit the anonymity and reach of social media to target and manipulate vulnerable children.
Support organizations such as the NSPCC have emphasized the importance of vigilance and open communication between children and adults. The NSPCC, which has been supporting children for 140 years, operates a helpline for anyone concerned about a child’s welfare and encourages victims of abuse to seek help through Childline or other support services. Resources for those affected by sexual abuse are available through the South Wales Police and other agencies, providing counselling, advice, and a safe space to report concerns.
As news of the case continues to reverberate, the hope among authorities, support workers, and the wider community is that the conviction of Cory Jones will serve as a powerful warning. The internet can be a wonderful tool for learning and connection, but, as this harrowing case demonstrates, it can also be a hunting ground for those with malicious intent. The courage of the survivors in coming forward, and the work of investigators in bringing Jones to justice, stand as reminders of the importance of vigilance, education, and support in keeping children safe online.
For the families and survivors, the sentence may bring some measure of closure, but the scars of Jones’s actions will linger. As the community grapples with the aftermath, the message from authorities is clear: such exploitation will not be tolerated, and supporting victims must remain a top priority.
