Nathan Mainwaring was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in a young offender's institution.

The now 18-year-old first met his victims on Discord, an instant messaging social platform predominantly used by gamers.

He admitted causing and inciting a 14-year-old to engage in sexual activity and malicious communications with intent to cause distress. He was 16 at the time of the offences.

Mainwaring - from Holywell, Flintshire - admitted making indecent images of another victim and of sexually exploiting her when she was 14. At the time of those offences, he was 17.

He also pleaded guilty to fraud.

Mainwaring started speaking to his first victim in the summer of 2021 before he added her on Snapchat.

The victim reported Mainwaring would become angry if she did not carry out sexual acts over messages.

When he asked for nude images, the victim blocked him but later received a message from Mainwaring saying he would kill himself.

He later contacted and visited the school, where tried to speak to the victim.

Mainwaring began communicating with his second victim on Discord towards the end of 2022, while under investigation.

After his arrest in January 2023, a number of devices were seized from his home.

Further investigations found several files had been downloaded on to the device, which included more than five million stolen password and username combinations.

Having been released on conditional bail, Mainwaring was arrested on suspicion of fraud and offences under the Computer Misuse Act in June 2023.

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Speaking after his sentencing on Tuesday, Ann Parry from North Wales Police said Mainwaring was "a dangerous predator".

"This case highlights just how important it is for children and their parents to know exactly who they are speaking to online," she said.

"I commend the bravery of the victims and their families for having the courage to come forward to give their accounts."