Michael Cartledge, 41, of Whitecross Road, Warrington, has been jailed for six years and eight months at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday, October 20. He 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.
Discovery through unrelated arrest
Cartledge was initially arrested on April 24 last year in connection with an unrelated matter, during which his mobile phone was seized. An examination of the device uncovered multiple conversations with unknown individuals online. Investigators believed these individuals 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 opportunities to sexually abuse children under the age of 13. He also requested images of underage girls. He 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.
Further arrest and sentencing
Cartledge was subsequently arrested in connection with these offences on June 27 last year, when further devices were seized. A search of the devices uncovered three Category C child sexual abuse images.
On top of his prison sentence, Cartledge has been made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
DC 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. “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.”
