> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Ipswich paedophile jailed for 12 years over online abuse - URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/ipswich-paedophile-jailed-for-12-years-over-online-abuse/ - Published: 2026-10-05T12:31:10.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-05T12:31:10.000Z - Description: A man who posed as a schoolgirl online to groom young boys has been handed an extended 12-year sentence at Ipswich Crown Court, after admitting 28 offences. - Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams - Tags: News, Crime, Courts **Why it matters:** Andrew Hart, 30, formerly of Thistle Close in Ipswich, used false identities and encrypted apps to target nine boys aged between nine and 13, inciting them to send indecent images of themselves. **The details:** Hart appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, 24 September, where he was handed an extended licence totalling 12 years – made up of eight years' imprisonment and four years on licence. Extended sentences are handed to those convicted of serious violent or sexual offences, where an additional period of post-release supervision is required to protect the public. Hart had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to 28 offences, including: - One count of attempting to cause/incite a boy to engage in sexual activity - Four counts of causing/inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity - Four counts of possessing indecent images of children - Six counts of making indecent photographs/pseudo-photographs of a child - 13 counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) The court heard that Hart used false online identities to pose as a young schoolgirl in order to engage with young boys, gain their trust and incite them to send indecent images of themselves. He used social media platforms including Snapchat and TikTok to send messages of a sexual nature, as well as encrypted apps to hide his chat history. In addition to his sentence, Hart was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register and to pay a victim surcharge of £228\. An order was also enforced for the destruction of his iPad and mobile phone. **What they're saying:** Detective Constable Ashley Daniels, the officer in charge of the case, said: "Hart preyed on the vulnerability and innocence of children. He displayed predatory behaviour and created multiple accounts and false identities, using anonymous browsers and adopted encryption software to avoid detection. "The impact of Hart's offending has devastated multiple families, causing lasting harm not only the young victims but their loved ones also. "Whilst this sentence cannot undo the impact of Hart's actions, I hope it helps the victims and their families to move forward with the reassurance that Hart no longer poses a risk to others. "This was a particularly complex investigation, and I would like to thank my colleagues in the Internet Child Abuse Investigation Team as well as the Public Protection Unit for their determination and commitment to help secure this conviction. "Suffolk Constabulary is committed to taking swift and robust action against individuals who offend against children online." **The bottom line:** Hart's extended sentence brings to a close a complex investigation into online grooming that affected nine boys and their families, with police stressing he no longer poses a risk to the public. --- **Don't forget:** If you enjoy our content, please [add Ipswich.co.uk as a "preferred source" on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=ipswich.co.uk&ref=ipswich.co.uk) so you can easily find more of the content you value. [Add as a preferred source on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=ipswich.co.uk&ref=ipswich.co.uk) --- ### This article cost us \~£21 to produce It's free for you to read thanks to the generous support of our partners. Please support us by supporting them.