Ellis Dismore, 24, targeted young girls online, leading to a horrific attack
Middlesbrough: A 24-year-old named Ellis Dismore has caused unimaginable pain to at least nine young girls over seven years. He started off as a friendly figure online but quickly turned sinister, pushing them to send explicit images.
Dismore pretended to be a teenage boy on social media, but soon his messages became more aggressive. He used threats to force these girls into sharing intimate photos, even threatening to post them online if they didn’t comply.
Things escalated when he attacked one girl who finally stood up to him. He followed her home from school and stabbed her multiple times. It was a terrifying scene, caught on CCTV, as she ran for her life down the street.
In a victim impact statement, the girl, who must remain anonymous, shared how Dismore controlled her life. She felt trapped and scared, worried about what he might do to her or her loved ones.
She expressed her shame and fear, knowing that personal images of her were circulating. Dismore even sent voice messages threatening to kill her, which only added to her terror.
Another victim described how Dismore’s harassment left her feeling anxious for years. He bombarded her with inappropriate messages, using personal details to blackmail her.
In court, it was revealed that Dismore had a pattern of targeting young girls, and his demands grew more aggressive over time. After receiving a 43-year prison sentence, Detective Sergeant Andrew Hamilton praised the bravery of the victims who came forward.
He highlighted how Dismore used fake accounts to groom and stalk girls, making vile threats and sending disturbing voice notes. The attack on the 15-year-old girl was particularly shocking, and it was only thanks to a passerby that she survived.
Hamilton expressed relief that Dismore is now behind bars, ensuring he can’t harm anyone else. He also urged parents to seek advice on keeping their children safe online.
Rani Govender from NSPCC emphasized the need for tech companies to make their platforms safer for young users. She stressed the importance of supporting victims like those targeted by Dismore as they try to rebuild their lives.
