Teenager jailed for encouraging self-harm

A complex and thorough investigation has resulted in a teenager being jailed for sending horrific, threatening, and abusive messages to a vulnerable victim, encouraging her to self-harm.

The investigation was launched after officers in our Internet Sexual Offences Team, received intelligence from another force that a teenager based in Sheffield was using online platforms to control a young girl, who lives out of the force area.

The offender, Elijah Palmer, who was 17 at the time of offending, was identified as being behind the username 'slitted'. Palmer used this username when communicating with the girl online, asking her for intimate images and then using these to blackmail her into harming herself, recording it and sending it to him.

The girl bravely disclosed what horrific things Palmer was demanding and making her do, and he was subsequently arrested by our officers.

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Harrison, who leads the force's Internet Sexual Offences Team, said:

"This is a deeply disturbing incident, which has placed a vulnerable girl in serious harm, all because Palmer was seeking a form of gratification following his control.

"This sentence will not undo the lasting and detrimental harm that Palmer has caused, harm like this can have a lifelong impact on victims. She has shown commendable bravery throughout this investigation, as it would have been extremely difficult for her to relay the detail.

"Palmer has not only impacted negatively on the girl’s life, but also his own. The Sexual Harm Prevention Order will affect the rest of his life."

Palmer used different online platforms to communicate with the girl. As well as instructing her to self-harm, Palmer also told the girl to spray paint phrases on her bedroom wall, all ways of exerting his control.

The investigation into Palmer's offending was complex, and required a lot of digital forensic recovery. DCI Harrison explains more:

"Technology is something that we use daily, it is used in school, work and our personal lives to connect with family and friends. It can be an extremely useful tool, but unfortunately we know that a small number of people look to abuse online platforms.

"The Introduction of the Online Safety Act in 2023 allows us to investigate and prosecute those who choose to cause harm using these online platforms.

"Offenders may think they can hide behind usernames on these online platforms, but this is far from the truth, we will find them.

"Victims of these crimes are never to blame, and I want to reassurance anyone who may think they have been a victim that you will be listened to and supported."

During his sentencing remarks. His Honour Judge Peter Hampton commented on Palmers offending, stating it 'took planning, was considered and well executed' also commenting 'anyone who encouraging children to abuse or harm themselves should expect severe punishment and this sentence should serve as a warning.'

Judge Hampton also commented on the victims bravery, stating 'her bravery was the reason [Palmer's] offending came to and end.'

Palmer, 18, of Badger Close, Sheffield pleaded guilty to encouraging / assisting self-harm of another, perverting the course of justice, possession of extreme pornography and three counts of making indecent photographs of a child at Sheffield Crown Court on 20 January.

He appeared before the same court today (Thursday 18 June) and was handed an extended prison sentence of four year and nine months. He was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and an indefinite Restraining Order

Help is available if you need it. You can report to us directly by calling 101 or online. You can also find out more about online safety and what to do if you are a victim of these crimes.