A teenage victim of child sexual exploitation has spoken out after being groomed by a firefighter she initially thanked with a letter. Sarah, now 17, was 13 when she and a friend sent a handwritten card to a fire station after a school cadets recruitment drive. The letter included her number and was addressed to a firefighter who impressed her. Instead, Scott Cameron responded, lying about his identity before eventually revealing himself and grooming her over months.
Grooming and Abuse
Cameron, a father of two, bombarded Sarah with affection, called her “gorgeous,” and asked for photos—first in a bikini, then naked. He initially posed as the firefighter she meant to contact, then claimed to be a group of teenage boys. He finally sent a picture of himself when he felt he could trust her to keep their secret. Sarah said the initial attention was flattering: “I went to an all-girls school, I'd never had any male attention whatsoever.” They met in woodland in early 2023 and had sex on multiple occasions over the following year.
Threats and Control
Cameron became more aggressive, threatening to expose photos if Sarah did not comply. She said, “I couldn't get out of it anymore. And I just had to keep doing as he said.” He also claimed to be dangerous and in a gang, scaring her into silence. The relationship fizzled out when Sarah began treating him similarly. She later reported a different incident to police, and officers found contact with Cameron on her phone.
Conviction and Sentence
Cameron, of Norris Green, initially denied any sexual activity, claiming Sarah harassed him. He later admitted the activity but said he thought she was 16, despite her age being on the letter. He was found guilty of six counts of sexual activity with a child, sexual communication with a child, two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and meeting a child following sexual grooming. In March, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison. A senior prosecutor called him a “manipulative paedophile.”
Impact and Recovery
Sarah struggled with self-harm and drinking. She said, “For a while I didn't want a relationship at all... I withdrew myself from friendships.” With counselling and medication, she feels “a lot better now.” She wants her story to help others: “I want to avoid this happening to other people. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.”
Campaign Launch
Sarah is fronting Merseyside Police’s “Call It What It Is” campaign, launched at the start of summer holidays to target child exploitation. Detective Inspector Steve Croasdale said, “We want perpetrators to understand that their actions are recognised, they are being monitored, and they will be pursued.” Emily Spurrell, police and crime commissioner, added, “This campaign is aimed directly at offenders, making it clear that grooming and child sexual abuse are crimes.” Sarah’s key warning: “If they tell you to keep it a secret. There are no secrets between kids and adults. You have to speak up and tell someone. You're not in trouble.”
