Darren Collis

A paedophile who targeted children online, sent explicit material and tried to arrange face-to-face meetings has been jailed after admitting 30 child sex offences.

Darren Collis, 57, from Haverhill, received an extended 17-year sentence at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday, 23 October — comprising 11 years behind bars and six years on licence.

Collis’s offending began to unravel in May 2025 when he contacted a Snapchat account he believed belonged to a 14-year-old boy.

Told the supposed child’s age, he carried on, attempting sexual conversations and sending explicit images. He also referred to speaking to another boy of the same name, aged just 13.

The account was a fake profile, and Collis was arrested at Cardinal Park in Ipswich on 28 May after arranging to meet the supposed teenager.

The investigation exposed far more offending. Forensic examination of his devices uncovered sexual conversations with multiple children under 16.

Collis had sent explicit photographs and videos and tried to meet children in person. Police identified 15 victims, contacting them and providing support where required.

His convictions included sexual communication with a child, causing a child to watch a sexual act, grooming, arranging or facilitating the meeting of a child, and causing a child to engage in sexual activity. He also admitted making and distributing indecent images of children.

The extended sentence includes an additional period of supervision after release to protect the public.

Collis was also ordered to register as a sex offender, and the court ordered the destruction of several of his devices.