A 22-year-old man from Kilrea has been sentenced at Dungannon Crown Court to two years and four months in prison for seven online child sexual offences. Police say the investigation began after a concerned parent reported inappropriate online communication with their child.

Kilrea Man (22) Sentenced For Online Child Sex Offences

A 22-year-old man from Kilrea has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison for a number of online child sexual offences.

Cameron Mullen appeared before Dungannon Crown Court today, Wednesday 20 May 2026, where he was sentenced for seven offences including sexual communication with a child, causing or inciting a child aged between 13 and 16 to engage in sexual activity, incitement to distribute indecent images or pseudo-images of a child, and causing a child to watch a sexual act.

He will also be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for ten years.

Investigation Began Following Parent’s Report

Police said the investigation began in early January 2025 after a parent in the Mid Ulster area contacted officers regarding concerns about online communications involving their child.

Following enquiries, Cameron Mullen was identified as a suspect and arrested days later.

Police said mobile phone examinations identified contact with a number of young teenage boys through Instagram. A file was later submitted to the Public Prosecution Service, with prosecution directed in relation to three victims who were under the age of 16 at the time of the offences.

Police Warn Of Online Grooming Risks

Detective Chief Inspector David McBurney said the case highlighted how offenders can use online platforms to gain a child’s trust before steering conversations towards sexual content.

He said:

“This case demonstrates how offenders can use online platforms to gain a child’s trust before quickly steering conversations to a sexual nature to satisfy their own sexual perversions.

“It is sickening that we are seeing younger and younger offenders in this space. Mullen deliberately built a rapport with these young boys before rapidly turning the conversation and this is a common tactic that we are seeing by those who seek to exploit young people in our communities.”

He added that the behaviour was “manipulative and predatory” and warned offenders they “will be caught” and “face the full force of the law”.

Parent Speaks Out Following Case

A parent of one of the victims has also urged families to remain vigilant about children’s online activity.

In a statement released through police, the parent described the experience as “every parent’s worst nightmare” and warned about the dangers children can face online.

The parent encouraged families to maintain open conversations about online safety and stressed the importance of safeguarding children using smartphones and social media platforms.

Online Safety Advice

Police are urging parents and guardians to:

• Monitor children’s online activity
• Speak openly about internet safety
• Be aware of who children communicate with online
• Report suspicious behaviour to police immediately

Anyone with concerns can contact police on 101, or call 999 in an emergency.

For online safety advice visit:

• PSNI Online Safety Advice
• NSPCC Online Safety Hub
• Childline Online Safety Support