A man described in court as a “child predator” has been handed a prison sentence of five years and two months after committing a series of sexual offences against teenage girls across the UK. Max Hollingsbee, aged 21, from Lurgan, County Armagh, faced a total of 42 charges, including inciting children to engage in sexual activity, possessing indecent photographs, and unauthorised access to computer data between 2021 and 2023.
The crimes, outlined during a sentencing hearing at Craigavon Crown Court in Northern Ireland, involved the grooming and exploitation of at least fourteen identified victims—girls and young women—spanning multiple regions of the country. Judge Donna McColgan delivered a sentence that splits Hollingsbee’s term equally between custodial time, totalling 31 months, and a further period of 31 months on licence under supervision.
During the court proceedings, Hollingsbee, dressed in a red polo shirt and jeans, appeared impassive as the charges were read out. He confirmed his identity simply with a reply of “yes” when prompted by the court clerk. Reports from the hearing indicated that Hollingsbee used false personas to “catfish” underage girls via social media applications, including Wizz, Snapchat, and Instagram, effectively manipulating, coercing, and blackmailing his victims for indecent material.
The harrowing impact of Hollingsbee’s actions was made evident through victim statements shared in court. One young woman described experiencing overwhelming fear, recounting times spent “crying in bed” during her ordeal. Another expressed confusion and distress, unable to fathom why someone would deliberately inflict such psychological harm.
Further details revealed that Hollingsbee, aged between 17 and 19 over the period of his offences, not only coerced girls into sharing explicit images but also hacked into social media accounts and distributed some of the content he had obtained. In a particularly insidious extension of his crimes, he is said to have set up fake accounts using stolen images, perpetuating a cycle of abuse and deception.
Police apprehended Hollingsbee for the first time in November 2022, following a tip-off from a victim who bravely came forward. His criminal activity, however, continued even after this initial arrest, leading to a further bail breach and a second arrest in April 2023. The court heard that, while Hollingsbee was highly intelligent—with an IQ placing him in the top four percent—he faced significant personal struggles during adolescence, including bullying and low self-esteem, though these circumstances were not presented as excuses for his behaviour.
According to the court, the offending was deemed to stem from what was described as an “addiction to power, control and sexual satisfaction”. As a result, Hollingsbee will also be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for a decade and is required to remain on the sex offenders register for life, reflecting the seriousness and enduring consequences of his actions.
Outside the courthouse, Detective Inspector Chris Fleming addressed assembled media, describing Hollingsbee as a “dangerous individual” whose crimes had left “deep and lasting scars” on his victims and their families. He commended the courage of those who had come forward and reiterated the commitment of law enforcement to pursue justice in cases of child sexual exploitation. “Our commitment to uncovering, investigating, and prosecuting cases like this has never been stronger,” DI Fleming stated, urging anyone with information or concerns to come forward.
This high-profile conviction comes amid increasing public concern over the safety of children and young people online, and the growing sophistication of offenders who exploit digital platforms. The case highlights ongoing efforts by authorities to adapt to the challenges posed by the online exploitation of minors and underscores the importance of continued vigilance and preventative measures.
As this case concludes, law enforcement has signalled that investigations remain ongoing, with the potential for more victims to be identified. The sentencing has been widely welcomed as a necessary step towards justice and an affirmation of the seriousness with which such offences are treated by the legal system.