Thomas Maher, a 64-year-old from Burnage, Manchester, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after planning the sexual abuse of a young girl with a man he thought was her father. The North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) condemned his 'deeply disturbing online activity' as evidence of 'a clear intent to commit further offences' against the child.
Online grooming and arrest
In September 2025, Maher sent messages via a social media platform to an individual he believed was an adult male. During the exchange, he discussed plans to commit serious sexual offences against the man's daughter and outlined steps to facilitate the abuse. Police were alerted to the activity and discovered that Maher was already on bail for separate offences involving indecent images of children. He was arrested at his home on Lane End Road in Burnage.
Evidence found in vehicle
During a search of Maher's car, officers recovered two syringes and his mobile phone, which contained further evidence of his offending. The phone held indecent images of a child and extreme pornography.
Court proceedings and sentence
At Manchester Crown Court on July 17, 2026, Maher pleaded guilty to arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, possession of an indecent image of a child, making indecent photographs of a child, and possession of extreme pornography. He was jailed for eight years and made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and an indefinite requirement to be on the Sex Offenders' Register.
Investigation and police comments
The case was a joint investigation by NWROCU and Police Scotland. Detective Constable Adam Cronshaw stated: 'The sentencing reflects the swift and decisive action taken after officers identified Thomas Maher's deeply disturbing online activity involving discussions of serious sexual harm to a child. The evidence demonstrated a clear intent to commit further offences, and his guilty plea reflects the strength of evidence against him. This investigation highlights our ongoing commitment to protecting children and ensuring those who seek to exploit or harm them are identified, arrested, and brought before the courts.'
