A wealthy Cheshire woman who lived a lavish lifestyle of designer clothes and luxury holidays has been jailed for eight years after being exposed as a predatory paedophile.
Michelle Mary Hooton, 52, was dubbed the 'Kardashian of Knutsford' by police due to her opulent lifestyle and striking appearance. The mother-of-two used the online alias 'Sexy Fun Girl' to groom and abuse a teenage boy, sending explicit messages and images.
The Handbag That Betrayed Her
Hooton's downfall came when investigators discovered a distinctive designer handbag in evidence photos that matched one she had flaunted on her social media accounts. This crucial piece of evidence directly linked her online persona to her real identity.
Detective Constable Chris Lomas of Cheshire Police revealed: "The handbag was the breakthrough. We found identical images of it on her social media, confirming Michelle Hooton was behind the 'Sexy Fun Girl' profile."
A Double Life Exposed
While presenting herself as a respectable businesswoman and mother in the affluent town of Knutsford, Hooton was secretly engaging in predatory behaviour online. Chester crown court heard how she:
- Created fake profiles to contact the teenage victim
- Sent sexually explicit messages and images
- Engaged in sexual activity with the minor
- Used her business premises to facilitate the abuse
Judge Simon Berkson described her actions as "a gross breach of trust" and noted she had shown "no genuine remorse" for her crimes.
Community Shock and Sentencing
The case has sent shockwaves through the affluent Cheshire community where Hooton was well-known. She was found guilty of multiple offences including sexual activity with a child and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
In addition to her eight-year prison sentence, Hooton was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order.
DC Lomas emphasised the importance of the case, stating: "This sentence demonstrates that no matter who you are or what lifestyle you lead, if you prey on children, you will be brought to justice."
