A man has admitted to urging a vulnerable woman to self-harm and to kill herself online.
Warning: This story contains details of encouraging self-harm and suicide which some readers might find disturbing
Tyler Webb, 22, from King Street in Loughborough, Leicestershire, admitted to one count of encouraging suicide and one count of encouraging or assisting someone to seriously self-harm on Friday.
He was the first person in the country to be charged with encouraging serious self-harm online under Section 184 of the Online Safety Act 2023.
Appearing via video link from a mental health facility, Webb sat with his head on a table surrounded by his family during the hearing. After it concluded, he ran out of the room and did not return.
While Leicester Crown Court did not hear details of Webb’s offences, the Crown Prosecution Service said he used the instant messaging app Telegram to contact the vulnerable woman, who cannot be named.
In their messages, he repeatedly told her to harm herself, and then to kill herself while on video call so he could watch.
The CPS said Webb told the woman she had nothing to live for and gave her methods to end her life.
It added that on one occasion, the woman followed his instructions while on a video call with him, and on another, she harmed herself after being encouraged to do so by Webb, and sent him a photograph of her injury.
During a 44-minute call on 2 July last year, the CPS said, Webb persistently tried to get the woman to end her own life.
When it became apparent she would not do so, he said he would block further contact with her.
The woman then reported the interactions, and Webb was arrested at his home by Leicestershire Police.
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The CPS also said that it found in its investigation that Webb knew the woman was vulnerable after coming across her in an online forum where people discussed mental health difficulties.
Investigators also uncovered an audio recording of a call made by the woman, which showed his “persistent” attempts to push her to do things, as well as digital images and drawings depicting people ending their lives, decapitations and sexual violence towards women.
Alex Johnson, specialist crown prosecutor in the CPS’ Special Crime Division, said Webb “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,” he added.
Judge Timothy Spencer KC said Webb must be produced at the crown court for sentencing on 4 July.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
