A Warrington man who tried to arrange a date to sexually abuse children has been jailed. Michael Cartledge, of Whitecross Road, was sentenced to six years and eight months at Liverpool Crown Court on October 20.
The 41-year-old's crimes were uncovered after he was arrested for an unrelated incident. Cartledge admitted seven counts of arranging or facilitating the commission of the offence of 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 communications with a child, and one count of making an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child.
Arrest and Investigation
Cartledge was arrested on April 24, 2025, in relation to an unrelated matter and his phone was seized. Upon a review of the phone, multiple conversations were discovered with unknown third parties. Police believe these were likely to be scammers due to the nature of the language used and how they asked Cartledge to pay money to them via gift cards.
However, within these conversations, Cartledge was trying to arrange the opportunity for him to sexually abuse children under the age of 13, as well as asking for images of underage girls. Cartledge also described in explicit detail what he wanted to do to the children and even tried to arrange a date for this to take place.
He was further arrested in relation to these offences on June 27, 2025, and further devices were seized from him. Three category C child sexual abuse images were found on his devices.
Sentence and Court Orders
On top of his custodial sentence, Cartledge is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must sign the Sex Offender Register indefinitely.
Cheshire Police's 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."
