Arun Wilding 22

Description

An Oldbury man has been jailed for more than 17 years after coercing young girls into sending indecent images.

Arun Wilding contacted several girls, all under 16 years of age, on social media and blackmailed them into sending indecent images.

His offending started in December 2024 and lasted until December 2025.

The 22-year-old would like and comment on girls’ social media posts before messaging them privately. The conversation would then move to another social media platform where he would ask the girls to send images of themselves.

If they stopped responding to him, he harassed and blackmailed them, threatening to share their images online until further images were provided.

Wilding found out which area or school the girls attended to frighten them into complying with his requests.

Earlier this year, Wilding of Highbury Road, Oldbury was charged with 16 offences including blackmail, engaging in sexual communication with a child, threatening to share a photograph of a person in an intimate state and causing a girl to engage in sexual activity.

He pleaded guilty to all offences at earlier hearing and on 1 September, at Wolverhampton Crown Court, he was sentenced to 17 years and nine months in prison.

He has also been handed a sexual harm prevention order which restricts his behaviour.

DC Elle Willows, from our Public Protection Unit, said:

“Wilding's behaviour was predatory and he exploited young people for his own gratification.

“I hope that this sentence brings some closure for all of those affected by Wilding’s actions, and that they can move forward with their lives.”