Barnet 15-year-old admits encouraging serious self-harm online
Teen pleaded guilty to offences under the Online Safety Act 2023 at Croydon Magistrates’ Court
Incident → evidence → outcomeA 15-year-old boy from Barnet pleaded guilty to two counts of encouraging or assisting serious self-harm at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on 20 August 2026. The offences occurred in October 2024, when the boy was 13, and involved communications on Telegram and Discord.
The boy also pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of a child. The charges relate to 13 still and five moving images in category A, 12 category B stills, and two still and two moving images in category C, as reported by This Is Local London.
Offences under the Online Safety Act
The charges of encouraging or assisting serious self-harm fall under section 184 of the Online Safety Act 2023. The legislation defines serious self-harm as conduct amounting to grievous bodily harm under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
The boy denied two additional counts of encouraging or assisting serious self-harm, which related to alleged messages sent on Discord. These charges were not part of the guilty pleas entered at the hearing.
Next steps in the case
The boy was granted conditional bail following the hearing. A further hearing is scheduled at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on 10 September 2026. The outcome of this hearing will determine the next steps in the case, including potential sentencing.
This Is Local London reported that the boy’s identity is protected due to his age. No further details about the victims or the content of the messages have been disclosed in court.
Questions this report answers
01What did the 15-year-old from Barnet plead guilty to?
The boy pleaded guilty to two counts of encouraging or assisting serious self-harm and three counts of making indecent photographs of a child. The offences involved messages sent on Telegram and Discord in October 2024.
02What law covers the charges of encouraging self-harm?
The charges fall under section 184 of the Online Safety Act 2023. This law defines serious self-harm as conduct amounting to grievous bodily harm under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
03When is the next court hearing?
The next hearing is scheduled for 10 September 2026 at Croydon Magistrates’ Court. The outcome will determine the next steps, including potential sentencing for the boy.
04Was the boy granted bail?
Yes, the boy was granted conditional bail after pleading guilty at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on 20 August 2026. The conditions of his bail have not been disclosed.
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