Appeal launched after man who used social media to groom girls is jailed for 13.5 years

A man from Milton Keynes has been jailed for 13.5 years following a joint force investigation led by detectives from the Met police, after reports he had engaged in sexual activity with girls from across the country.

The Met is now leading an appeal for other potential victims to come forwards, following an investigation which was supported by the Northamptonshire Police and Cambridgeshire Police forces.

Gareth Viccars, 47 (02/08/78), of Quadrans Close, Milton Keynes was sentenced to 13.5 years with three and a half on license following a sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court today, Thursday, 2 October. He was also placed on the sex offenders' register for life.

Viccars pleaded guilty to 16 charges for sexual offences, including sexual activity with a child and meeting a child following sexual grooming, at the same court on Friday, 11 July. The offences relate to three victims.

Detective Chief Inspector Ross Morrell, who led the Met’s investigation, said:

“Viccar’s offending is shocking. He would regularly reach out to young girls, who he would build relationships with using lies and manipulation and then sexually assault.

“Today’s sentencing reflects the Met’s commitment to tackling violence against women and girls, with our increased specialist teams working together with partner police forces to strengthen the evidence.

“We are appealing today for anyone who believes they or their children may be a victim of Viccars to come forwards. We believe there may be hundreds of further victims who have not yet reported to the police.

“Any further victims are entitled to receive specialist support and guidance, not only from the police but independent charities and services.”

Detective Constable Lewis Whitlock, who was on the Met’s investigation team, said:

“I would like to commend the bravery of the victims who have made reports and supported the case throughout the investigation and court processes.

“Every girl deserves to feel safe, and the Met is dedicated to tackling violence against women and girls by hunting down predatory men.

“If you recognise Viccars offending and believe you or your child may be a victim, please contact 101 or make a report online and reference this media appeal when reporting.

“You can make a report from anywhere in the country, this appeal isn’t only for victims from London.”

The offending

In November 2024, the Met received a report that Viccars had committed sexual offences against a girl over a period of three years, beginning when she was 15 years old.

Viccars and the victim had begun messaging on snapchat in November 2021. After messaging for 4 days, Viccars had suggested that they meet up, and had driven to meet her in Romford, Essex.

Once alone with the victim, he began to engage in sexual activity with the girl before pressuring her on later occasions into further sexual activity by saying that they were in a relationship.

Viccars had been using Snapchat to speak to teenage girls, randomly adding the profiles of girls who were suggested to him by the ‘mutual friends’ feature.

He would add a profile, and then follow with a message saying, "sorry I think I have added the wrong person".

Once in conversation with the victim, Viccars would build trust with the girls by pretending that he was a teacher, someone who would usually have their best interests at heart.

Viccars was then found to have spoken to and met with more victims. He met with another victim in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire and another in Northamptonshire, who he manipulated to engage in sexual activity.

The appeal

Following Viccars’ sentencing, detectives are appealing for any other potential victim-survivors to come forward.

Detectives suspect there could be hundreds of girls who Viccars committed offences against, due to his random and widespread messaging.

Despite using an alias name and routinely changing his social media accounts, the methods and lies he had made up about his life are recognisable as they were consistent throughout his offending.

Victim support

The victim-survivors involved in this case have been given specialist support and guidance by officers throughout the investigation and court process.

Survivors are encouraged to contact the police by reporting online, or by calling 101 and referencing this appeal. The relevant force, which may not be the Met, will then arrange contact with them.

The Met is dedicated to improving our response to violence against women and girls (VAWG). Every woman and girl in London deserves to feel safe, walking home at night, travelling on public transport, at home, or simply going about their daily lives.

The Met is using a number of tactics including our V100 project which targets predatory offenders who are the greatest threat to women, leading to over 100 convictions. We have also rolled out training to 20,000 frontline officers and added 565 specially trained officers and staff into teams tackling VAWG which has doubled charges for rape since 2022 and secured 389 Stalking Protection Orders.

For more information on the Met’s work on VAWG, read our Action Plan.

List of charges:

Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child

Sexual activity with a child on at least 9 occasions

Sexual activity with a child

Engaging in sexual communication with a child

Meeting a child following sexual grooming

4x Sexual activity with a child

Engaging in sexual communication with a child

3x Sexual activity with a child

2x Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity

Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child