The son of a GP who set up a live online link with mothers in the Philippines so he could “virtually” abuse their children has been jailed for six-and-a-half years.
Jonathan Kumar, 38, connected to pedophile websites so he could communicate with women living 6,600 miles away before engaging in sordid sexual activity with them and their daughters.
During the distorted exchanges from his bedroom in Bolton, Greater Manchester, Kumar simulated sexual intercourse with the youths who were forced to participate virtually on a webcam between September 2022 and August 2023.
He was arrested in August 2023 after police investigating websites discovered an Internet Protocol address linked to him.
Officers seized various electronic devices and found a recording in which he told the mother of a nine-year-old girl: “Why is the child angry? I’m going to rape her.”
The pedophile committed a sexual act as the young man pretended to participate in sexual activity. Another girl exposed herself and was ordered to perform sexual acts.
Jonathan Kumar (pictured) connected to pedophile websites so he could communicate with women living 6,600 miles away before engaging in sordid sexual activity.
When questioned by the police, Kumar said, “Yes, I was stupid.”
A total of 20 films or images were found of which ten were recorded by him.
None of the eight victims involved in the abuse who were aged between eight and 13 could be traced.
At Bolton Crown Court, Kumar – whose father worked as a doctor in the town – admitted inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity and taking indecent photographs.
He said he had been “just” at the time being kept at home by the Covid-19 lockdown.
Miss Tara Riley prosecuting said: “A number of devices were seized from his home including two Samsung phones and a Dell laptop and were all examined after the defendant provided PIN numbers.
“One phone showed indecent images and videos of children that were taken by the owner of the phone. There were social media chats in which the owner of the phone was communicating with children and parents of children.
“In one moving image, a boy was seen removing his clothes revealing his breasts and genital area. Another showed a photo of a 12-year-old boy holding his nipples.
“There was a video call recording in which the accused speaks to the mother of a boy between the ages of nine and 11. The mother says the child is angry and the accused asks: ‘Why is the child angry – I have to to violate her”.
“The period of abuse was between September 2022 and August 2023. Children were particularly vulnerable and were subjected to abuse in the presence of their mothers. They were probably involved in commercial exploitation.
Kumar, who had a previous drink-driving conviction from 2009, faced up to 10 years in prison under the sentencing guidelines.
Rachel White mitiging said: “He is a very loved member of his family and there is a different side to him. Although he was involved in quite persistent online communication, money was never exchanged. He fully accepts the nature disgusting of the offenses that are shocking and extremely harmful.
“He is an individual who comes from a loving supportive family and has been successful in his education and work. But his father fell ill and for a period of three years he took care of his father until he died in the 2012.
At Bolton Crown Court (pictured), Kumar admitted inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity and making indecent photographs.
“He has a close relationship with his mother, who is now in her 80s, and initially he continued to live with her – and when he bought his own property he visited her regularly.
“But the pandemic caused a complication in Mr. Kumar’s personal circumstances and he was home alone and was restricted from visiting his mother.
“He became increasingly lonely and started communicating with women online for sexual purposes.
“This behavior intensified as he candidly admits when he became a little distant or dissociated with what he was doing because it was about people in a foreign land appearing via a screen.
“He now fully appreciates that these were very real children and that his behavior will have a significant impact on them when he made the unspeakable demands that he made.
“He is ashamed and disgusted by what he has done and says no child deserves to experience this kind of abuse. He became visibly upset when talking about these matters to probation officers.
The judge sentencing Kumar Abigail Hudson told him: “The reality is that these are children imported for your own sexual gratification. Their caretakers are likely to be desperate or abusive people who are unwilling or unable to protect those children.
“They are therefore extremely vulnerable and the damage you have caused them is immeasurable.
“You come from a relatively wealthy background and have all the opportunities you could wish for in life including a devoted and supportive family. But you are in the position you are today because you did not seek help and engage in this behavior.
“You knew it was wrong, but you didn’t seek help. I’m very lucky that your family sees the other side of you and continues to love and support you.
Kumar was also ordered to sign the Sex Offender’s Register for life and must comply with the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.