Prison term for ‘legal first’ prosecution of man who encouraged a vulnerable woman to commit serious self-harm online

A man who was the first to be charged with encouraging serious self-harm online under Section 184 of the Online Safety Act 2023 has been sentenced to a nine years and four month prison term - partially to be served in hospital. 

Tyler Webb, 22, used the Telegram communications app to repeatedly tell a vulnerable 22-year-old woman to cut herself, and then to kill herself by hanging during a video call so he could watch, telling her she had nothing to live for and giving her methods to end her life.

He admitted encouraging self-harm and encouraging suicide at Leicester Crown Court on May 9.

After hearing today from the prosecution and defence and considering Sentencing Guidelines, including Webb's guilty plea, the court handed down an eight year and two months prison term for encouraging suicide, with an indefinite restraining order to protect his victim.

Separately he was given a one year two month prison term for encouraging self-harm, which will run on top of his other sentence, meaning a total of nine years and four month prison term.

Alex Johnson, a specialist crown prosecutor in the Special Crime Division of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Tyler Webb contacted a vulnerable woman online and encouraged her to commit serious self-harm and to end her life by hanging. 

“He knew she was vulnerable and would act on his requests but went ahead with his persistent requests knowing she may well die. 

“Fortunately, his repeated and insistent suggestions did not result in a death.”

On one occasion the woman followed his instructions while on a video call to him, passing out.  

On another occasion she cut herself after being encouraged to do so by him, and sent him a photograph of her injury. 

On 2 July 2024, during a 44 minute call he made persistent efforts to get her to kill herself after her previous attempt. 

When it became apparent she would not do so, he said he would block further contact with her. 

She reported what had happened to police and he was arrested at his Loughborough home by Leicestershire Police. 

Due to his own mental health difficulties the sentence was made as a hybrid hospital order, which means he will be sent to hospital for treatment, but after treatment ends, be moved back to a prison.

DC Lauren Hampton, of Leicestershire Police, who investigated the crimes and brought the evidence to the CPS to prosecute, said: “This case is not only truly shocking but also deeply concerning.

“Webb preyed upon a vulnerable woman at a time when she was reaching out to people in online forum for help and support.

“He quickly gained her trust and then he began with his barrage of vile requests – all the time knowing that what he was telling her to do could result in her ending her own life. Thankfully, this did not happen, and the victim was able to report what had happened.

“The courage and strength the victim has shown is truly incredible. I want to thank her for coming forward and reporting to police the despicable behaviour of Webb. Her actions have undoubtedly safeguarded other vulnerable people from being targeted.”

Building the case; proving someone went online to encourage another to kill or self-harm themselves

This was the first time a person had been charged with encouragement of serious self-harm under the Online Safety Act 2023. Encouraging suicide has been a criminal offence under statute since 1961 and before that it was an offence under common law. The charge, as with all encouraging suicide cases, required the Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson’s personal consent to proceed.

To prove either of the offences the CPS needed to show that Webb committed an act that encouraged serious self-harm, or encouraged suicide, and was intended to do so; or that he believed his acts were capable of encouraging suicide or self-harm.

We were able to do this by proving:

• Webb came across the woman in an online forum where people discussed mental health difficulties, showing he knew she was vulnerable.
   
• The first time they spoke she cut herself at his request, which was evidence he knew she would act on his requests
   
• He watched her on video attempting to end her life once, proving she would do it, but tried once more. He could not claim he was fantasising or in role play.
   
• An audio recording of a call made by the woman showed his persistent attempts and the way he tried to push her.
   
• Digital images and drawings depicting hangings, decapitations and sexual violence towards women showed his mindset.
  
  As a result Webb admitted his guilt.