A 19-year-old from Eltham has been jailed after he “befriended” kids aged six to eight then manipulated them into sending sexual videos. 

Vinnie Pinkman, of Restons Crescent, built relationships with children online then made them send extreme sexual images and videos. 

Met Police worked with Greater Manchester Police and North Wales Police to gather evidence from his young victims. 

Pinkman was subsequently convicted of two counts of sexual communication with a child, two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 into sexual activity, three counts of possessing extreme pornographic images and one count of possession of a prohibited image. 

Last Thursday (March 28) at Woolwich Crown Court Pinkman was jailed for seven years and was given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. 

This Is Local London: Seven years behind bars for Vinnie PinkmanSeven years behind bars for Vinnie Pinkman (Image: Met Police)

Detective Constable Amy Burnell who led the investigation said: “I would like to highlight the incredible work of the Met’s investigation team; they viewed images of horrific material seized from the suspect and had to grade the severity of the indecency of the images for viewing in court. 

“They did this efficiently and were able to still work professionally and with true commitment to the case. 

“The team’s diligence and professionalism has ensured this perpetrator has been taken off the streets of London and will no longer be able to hide behind a computer screen and take advantage of vulnerable children enjoying online games and chat rooms with their friends. 

“Pinkham exploited children’s youthful ignorance for his personal gratification. We are committed to finding individuals who wish to cause harm to young people across London. 

“We’ll do everything in our power to protect children, bringing to justice those predators who threaten their safety.”