Screengrab from Minecraft website
The incredible world of “Minecraft” certainly gives youngsters a medium to express their creativity, but sadly it could also be exploited by pedophiles who are looking to prey on its young players.
A 22-year-old male from Maesgwynne, South Wales, is facing multiple counts of child molestation after admitting to a string of appalling sexual offenses against two underage boys, aged 13 and 14, which he contacted through the popular game.
Adam Isaac pleaded guilty to causing or inciting child prostitution or pornography, one charge of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and one charge of possessing indecent images, according to The Sun.
The offenses reportedly were committed between August 2015 and January 2016, and the prosecution has already applied for a sexual harm prevention order at the next hearing.
“He (Isaac) does understand that these are serious matters and he has been trying to address these issues himself,” Sue Ferrier from the accused’ defense team claimed.
If approved, a sexual harm prevention order will prevent Isaac from seeking certain types of employment based on previous offending behavior, if the prosecution can show that he poses further risk to the public.
“You have pleaded guilty to a number of serious offenses. I am going to ask for a pre-sentence report so the court knows more about you,” the presiding judge at Merthyr Crown Court said during a hearing over the weekend. “The fact I am doing this is no indication of the sort of sentence you will expect. In all likelihood it will be a prison sentence–you must understand that.”
Isaac is currently out on a conditional bail until he is sentenced on Dec. 16.
Minecraft is sand box video game that allows users to build and destroy constructions out of textured cubes in a 3D procedurally generated world.
According to the latest demographics released by the game, over 20 percent of players are under the age of 15. Khristian Ibarrola
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