An investigation launched late last year has led to an arrest of a London man who now faces a number of child luring-related charges.
Members of the London Police Service's Internet Child Exploitation Unit started their probe in early December 2022. According to police, over the course of the month, a 44-year-old man began chatting online with an individual he thought was a teenaged girl.
Police claim the man, who was reportedly made aware of the victim's age, sent sexually explicit messages and videos to the victim. He is also accused of asking for graphic images in return. Investigators say the suspect used Snapchat to communicate with the victim under the username 'FenixCallum'.
As a result, Neal Eliol Layden faces over a dozen charges including:
• Three counts of luring a person under 16-years-old by means of telecommunication • Three counts of transmitting sexually explicit material to a person under 16-years-old • Two counts of unlawful possession of child pornography • Two counts of importing/selling/distributing etc., of child pornography • Two counts of printing/publishing/possessing to publish child pornography • Luring of a person under 18-years-old by means of telecommunication • Transmitting sexually explicit material to a person under 18-years-old
Layden was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday to respond to the charges.
Investigators have reason to believe there may be more victims and are asking anyone with information to call police.
Additional information about the investigation can be made by calling London police at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be sent online anonymously to londoncrimestoppers.com.
