Leeds woman exchanged photos of child sex abuse for cash

A woman who shared images and videos of herself sexually abusing a young boy for money has been jailed.

West Yorkshire Police said Emily Hedigan, 21, assaulted the "vulnerable" boy repeatedly and sent photos of the abuse on to a man in exchange for cash.

Hedigan, of Broadlea Grove, Bramley, pleaded guilty to eight offences, including causing or inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

She was jailed at Leeds Crown Court for four years and eight months.

Police became aware of the offending on 29 January after images of the boy were found on her mobile phone.

Following her arrest, investigators were able to recover video and still images of her sexually abusing the child on a number of occasions.

Further work established Hedigan had been sending the images to a man elsewhere in the country in exchange for money.

She admitted the offences when interviewed, but claimed she had been providing the images under duress.

Det Insp Amy Spaven said: "Hedigan was responsible for a sustained pattern of sexual abuse against this vulnerable young boy and shared images of that abuse for financial gain.

"Her actions will have had a significant traumatic impact on the victim that is likely to affect him for the rest of his life.

"We hope that seeing her held accountable and sent to prison will provide some reassurance."

Hedigan pleaded guilty to causing or inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity, sexual touching of a boy aged under 13, taking, making and distributing indecent images of a child, and possession of cocaine.

In addition to her prison term, she was placed on the sex offenders register for life and was also given a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

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