Worthing Man Jailed Over Online Abuse Of Young Women And Possession Of Child Abuse Material

A Worthing man has been jailed for two years and four months after being convicted of possessing child abuse material and carrying out a sustained campaign of online deception and abuse against teenage girls and young women.

Charles Wood, 34, appeared at Lewes Crown Court on 13 January, having pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including possession of child abuse images and sharing intimate images without consent.

Wood posed online as a teenage girl named ‘Riley’, using social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, as well as dating sites, to deceive victims.

He used a voice-changing app to mimic a young female voice, sending sexually explicit messages and pressuring victims to share images and videos.

Some of these images were later shared with other predatory men online.

Investigators also revealed Wood targeted vulnerable teenage girls selling content online, exploiting them by pretending to be Riley or even Riley’s mother.

Judge Van Der Zwart described Wood’s actions as high risk to children and young women, calling the voice-changer videos “chilling” in their ability to convince victims he was female.

Alongside his prison sentence, Wood was given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and the court ordered that all his devices be destroyed.

Investigator Rose Horan, from the Online Child Abuse Team, said:

“Wood’s behaviour was deliberate, sophisticated, highly manipulative and cruel.

"He set out to manipulate and control young women and girls for his own sexual gratification.

"His actions caused significant psychological harm to the victims, who felt betrayed and violated.

"This case is a stark reminder of the dangers children and young people face online.”

Wood was first arrested in November 2024 and charged in September 2025.

The investigation is ongoing to identify any other individuals involved in sharing images.

The Online Child Abuse Team continues to work with partners to protect children online and educate families on staying safe in the digital world.