The UK's youngest female paedophile is due to be re-released from prison this month. Former childcare student Sophie Elms was sentenced to seven years and 10 months in jail in 2019 after admitting a series of serious sexual offences involving children as young as two years old in Wiltshire. None of the offences took place at the nursery or college where she was doing her childcare course.
Recall to prison
Previously released in September last year, she was recalled to prison due to breaking her license conditions. The paedophile, now aged 25, previously pleaded guilty to 16 child sex offences, including sharing indecent images and videos of her assaulting the children to a known sex offender.
Offences and sentencing
Four mobile phones owned by Elms that were seized held indecent images and videos in category A – the most serious of all. On her release, a prison service spokesperson said: "These were horrendous crimes and our thoughts remain with the victims.
"Upon release, this offender will be subject to the strict conditions of the sex offender’s register."
A parent of the young victims spoke in court during sentencing, describing the impact on their family as “unimaginable” and “horrific”.
Police reaction
After she was sentenced, Det Insp Simon Childe said: "Understandably, this case has shocked the local community as well as those further afield.
"Elms is just 18-years-old making her one of the youngest women in the country to be convicted of these types of offences, and at the time of committing these atrocious crimes, she was studying child care with a long term aim of working with very young children in the future.
"I am extremely grateful to my team of dedicated officers who have been able to intercept and prevent her from working with children ever again."
He praised the families of the "very young victims" who showed "a great deal of strength" throughout this court process. Mr Childe said: "They have been provided with specialist support since the investigation began and we will continue to ensure they and their children feel fully supported."
Det Insp Childe said he was glad Elms could be brought to justice for her disgraceful actions, adding: "I hope that in this case, the families of the young victims can take some closure from the sentencing and feel supported in moving forward."
