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Gemma Watts: Sex attacks woman posed as teenage boy Gemma Watts: Sex attacks woman posed as teenage boy
(about 1 hour later)
A woman disguised herself as a teenage boy to sexually assault girls after grooming them online.A woman disguised herself as a teenage boy to sexually assault girls after grooming them online.
Gemma Watts posed as 16-year-old "Jake Waton" on social media and swapped intimate photos with victims before meeting at locations across England.Gemma Watts posed as 16-year-old "Jake Waton" on social media and swapped intimate photos with victims before meeting at locations across England.
Watts, 21, of Enfield, has pleaded guilty to sexual offences involving four girls. She is due to be sentenced at Winchester Crown Court later.Watts, 21, of Enfield, has pleaded guilty to sexual offences involving four girls. She is due to be sentenced at Winchester Crown Court later.
Police believe she may have assaulted up to 50 victims in total.Police believe she may have assaulted up to 50 victims in total.
Scotland Yard said Watts had used her own picture on Snapchat and Instagram accounts as "Jake" and targeted girls aged 14 to 16 by liking their profiles.Scotland Yard said Watts had used her own picture on Snapchat and Instagram accounts as "Jake" and targeted girls aged 14 to 16 by liking their profiles.
She used teenage slang, sent flattering messages and shared intimate photographs before travelling to meet them in person.She used teenage slang, sent flattering messages and shared intimate photographs before travelling to meet them in person.
Her disguise included tying her hair back in a bun and wearing a baseball cap, jogging bottoms and a hoodie.Her disguise included tying her hair back in a bun and wearing a baseball cap, jogging bottoms and a hoodie.
Police said all of her victims believed they were in a relationship with a teenage boy until officers revealed Watts was actually an adult woman.Police said all of her victims believed they were in a relationship with a teenage boy until officers revealed Watts was actually an adult woman.
She was so convincing she even spent time as "Jake" with some of the girls' parents.She was so convincing she even spent time as "Jake" with some of the girls' parents.
The offences she has admitted relate to a 14-year-old from Hampshire and three 15-year-olds from Surrey, Plymouth and the West Midlands.The offences she has admitted relate to a 14-year-old from Hampshire and three 15-year-olds from Surrey, Plymouth and the West Midlands.
Det Con Phillipa Kenwright said the victims "all believed they were in a relationship with a male" and had been "completely taken in" by Watts.Det Con Phillipa Kenwright said the victims "all believed they were in a relationship with a male" and had been "completely taken in" by Watts.
She added: "It's been life-changing for all of the victims involved."She added: "It's been life-changing for all of the victims involved."
The officer said she believed Watts could have duped "20 to 50" victims in total.The officer said she believed Watts could have duped "20 to 50" victims in total.
A doctor in Hampshire first raised concerns to police in March 2018 after a young patient revealed she was in a relationship with an older boy.A doctor in Hampshire first raised concerns to police in March 2018 after a young patient revealed she was in a relationship with an older boy.
In July that year Watts admitted to Met officers she had been sexually active as "Jake" with the first three victims.In July that year Watts admitted to Met officers she had been sexually active as "Jake" with the first three victims.
She was released under investigation and arrested again in October 2018 by British Transport Police who found her on a train with a fourth victim.She was released under investigation and arrested again in October 2018 by British Transport Police who found her on a train with a fourth victim.
Officers initially thought Watts was a 16-year-old boy and were taking her home to London before they realised her true identity.
In November 2019, Watts pleaded guilty to one count of assault by penetration, three counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming and three counts of sexual assault.In November 2019, Watts pleaded guilty to one count of assault by penetration, three counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming and three counts of sexual assault.