An 18-year-old who encouraged a young victim to self-harm and produce sexually explicit images as part of a sustained online abuse campaign fueled by his links to an ultra-extreme 'Manosphere' group has been jailed for almost five years. Elijah Palmer pleaded guilty to several counts of making and possessing indecent images, perverting the course of justice, causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, and encouraging serious self-harm.
Manosphere Radicalization
Palmer was linked to the '764' group, an ultra-violent sextortion and sadomasochistic online network whose members deliberately target vulnerable children to extort them for 'content' to share with other members. The group is associated with extreme neo-Nazi ideologies and operates on the fringes of the so-called Manosphere and other toxic spaces that exploit male-to-male dynamics and promote misogyny.
How the Abuse Unfolded
Palmer first contacted his victim through the online gaming platform Roblox before moving their chat to Discord. Beginning with seemingly minor requests, he became increasingly demanding over time, eventually requesting nude images, evidence of self-harm, and various acts of degradation. He used blackmail, threats to her and her family, and even manufactured a fake bomb threat he claimed he would send to a local school from an email address in her name if she did not comply.
Members of the 764 group—predominantly teenage boys and young men—seek out vulnerable victims in online spaces where children discuss issues such as depression, eating disorders, or self-harm. Their modus operandi is to initially approach victims as friends, building trust to exploit and control them. Members manipulate victims into sharing explicit 'content'—including self-harm or sexual acts—which they share among the group to gain notoriety.
Investigation and Prosecution
When the victim reported Palmer to South Yorkshire Police, the investigation uncovered his links with the 764 group. Palmer operated under various aliases and held numerous social media accounts across different platforms to conceal his identity. He told his victim he was sharing the content he exploited from her with other 764 members to further manipulate and intimidate her.
Palmer was first arrested on June 30, 2025, and bailed on condition he not contact the victim. He was later charged with perverting the course of justice after breaching bail to contact the victim and attempt to get her to retract her statement. In police interview, Palmer initially denied all knowledge, claiming he had joined the 764 network 'because of the thrill' but had since left.
Prosecutors were able to charge Palmer under new provisions of the Online Safety Act, which criminalize those who encourage others to self-harm online. Appearing for sentence at Sheffield Crown Court, he was sentenced to four years and nine months in custody with another four years on extended license.
Authorities Speak Out
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Harrison said: 'Technology can be an extremely useful tool, but unfortunately we know that a small number of people look to abuse online platforms. The introduction of the Online Safety Act in 2023 is allowing us to investigate and prosecute those who choose to cause harm using these online platforms. Offenders may think they can hide behind usernames, but this is far from the truth—we will find them.'
Senior Crown Prosecutor Caroline Deacon added: 'This was a deeply disturbing case involving the calculated and deliberate targeting of a vulnerable young victim. Palmer blackmailed and threatened his victim, demanding increasingly degrading acts to serve himself and build his reputation among other 764 members. The Online Safety Act introduced new offences which allow us to prosecute those who encourage others to self-harm online. This case demonstrates exactly why that legislation was necessary.'
