A disturbing case in Greater Manchester has ended with the conviction and sentencing of Scott Kirkham, a paedophile from Tameside who groomed and sexually assaulted teenage girls by pretending to be a teenager online.
Kirkham, who resides on Hope Street in Audenshaw, used fake online profiles to lure and trap his victims before committing his crimes. He pleaded guilty to a total of 30 offences, which included 6 counts of sexual communication with a child, 10 counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, 6 counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act, 5 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, 2 counts of malicious communication, and sexual assault on a female over 16.
At Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, Kirkham was sentenced to 10 years in prison. In addition to his custodial sentence, he will serve three years on licence, be subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and must register on the sex offenders’ list for life.
The investigation was led by the Complex Safeguarding Team in Tameside, working in collaboration with multiple police forces. Their efforts uncovered Kirkham’s extensive online grooming activities.
A spokesperson from Greater Manchester Police stated, “We are committed to protecting our children from predators like Scott Kirkham and ensuring justice is served.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
