A Warrington man who attempted to arrange a date to sexually abuse children has been jailed for six years and eight months. Michael Cartledge, 41, of Whitecross Road, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting a series of offences involving children under 13.
Phone search reveals crimes
Cartledge's offending came to light in April last year when he was arrested over unrelated suspected offences. When his mobile phone was seized and searched, police found multiple conversations with unknown individuals online. Detectives believed these contacts were likely to be scammers, based on the language used and their requests for Cartledge to send them money via gift cards.
However, the conversations revealed that Cartledge was attempting to arrange the sexual abuse of children under the age of 13. He also requested images of underage girls.
Explicit messages and further evidence
Cartledge went on to describe in explicit detail what he wanted to do to the children and attempted to arrange a date for the abuse to take place. He was arrested again on June 27 last year, and further devices were seized and searched, revealing three Category C child sexual abuse images.
Cartledge admitted seven counts of arranging or facilitating the commission of an offence involving causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity involving penetration. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and one count of making an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child.
Sentence and protective measures
Alongside his custodial sentence, Cartledge has been made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
Det Con Davy said: "We welcome the significant custodial sentence handed to Cartledge, who clearly presents a risk to children.
"Although no children were harmed during the commission of these offences, this does not minimise the seriousness of the crimes; Cartledge clearly showed intent to harm a child, even trying to arrange a date where he could commit these horrific acts."
Davy added: "On top of his custodial sentence, upon his release from prison he will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which means he will be robustly managed and this is another step to ensure he does not commit any more offences of this nature."
