First person charged with encouraging self-harm is sentenced

Warning: This report contains details which some readers might find distressing.

 

A Leicestershire man has been sentenced to more than nine years imprisonment subject to a hospital order after admitting to telling a woman he met online to kill herself.

Tyler Webb, from Loughborough, was the first person in the country to be charged with a new offence under Section 184 of the Online Safety Act 2023.

He was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court today (Friday 4 July) after pleading guilty in May to one count of encouraging suicide and one count of encouraging or assisting someone to seriously self-harm.

Webb was sentenced to a hybrid order under section 45A of the Mental Health Act. He was sentenced to nine years and four months subject to a hospital order

 

Tyler Webb

 

During a six-week period, the 23-year-old of King Crescent South repeatedly told a woman – who was aged 21 – he met in on an online support forum to harm herself and then to kill herself while he watched during a video call.

Reporting restrictions are in place preventing the woman from being identified. Following Webb’s sentencing, she has released her own statement which can be found here - “This case may set a precedent under new law, but it also sets a moral benchmark. How we respond will signal what kind of society we are.” | Leicestershire Police

Detectives from Leicestershire Police began investigating Webb after the victim initially made a report to her local force in July 2024.

Following enquiries, he was identified and arrested from his home address in Loughborough.

Detective Constable Lauren Hampton was assigned as the officer in the case. Over the past year she has dedicated her time to building a case against Webb and helping to support the victim through the process.

DC Hampton 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.”

Webb initially began communicating with the woman at the beginning of June 2024 in an online support forum for people with suicidal thoughts.

After befriending her, they started sending messages to each other via a platform.

After gaining her trust he began bombarding her with requests to self-harm and commit suicide – in order to satisfy his sexual pleasure.

On one occasion she followed his instructions which caused her to pass out.

On another occasion when he encouraged her, this resulted in medical treatment being needed.

On Tuesday 2 July 2024, during a video call, Webb made persistent efforts.

During the call the woman can be heard saying she did not want to go through with it.

When it became apparent she was not going to do what he wanted he said he would block any further contact with her and threatened to try and encourage someone else.

The following day she made a report to police.

DC Hampton added: "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.”

For further details about the offence and for information and support, visit: https://www.leics.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/online-safety/online-safety/what-is-encouraging-assisting-serious-self-harm/