ALAN CASHMAN AND HIS SHOCKING CRIMES IN LIVERPOOL
Alan Cashman, a man with a violent history and a disturbing sexual interest in children, has once again found himself at the center of serious criminal proceedings in Liverpool.The 39-year-old, previously sentenced to life imprisonment for arson, was convicted after a disturbing series of online predatory behaviors and a recent arrest related to child exploitation.
Cashman's latest criminal activity began when he engaged with what he believed to be a 14-year-old boy on Facebook Messenger.
Operating under the auspices of the Saving Our Children Online group, the online decoy set a trap to catch potential predators.
Cashman initiated contact on October 10 of the previous year by sending a friend request to the decoy’s account.
Over the following 12 days, he maintained daily conversations, exchanging explicit images and, during a video call, exposed himself and encouraged the decoy to perform explicit acts.
The sting was carefully orchestrated to expose individuals seeking to exploit minors.
The decoy, however, was experiencing a simulated scenario and was not a real child.
Another account, pretending to be an adult, was used to engage Cashman and make arrangements to meet up for sexual activity.
His intentions were thus laid bare.
On October 22, 2022, Cashman arrived at the predetermined location on Greenheys Road in Toxteth, expecting to meet for sex.
Members of the paedophile hunter group confronted him at the scene.
Police officers arrived shortly thereafter, arresting Cashman around 7:45 pm.
His reaction to the arrest was one of clear distress, as he responded with the words, "I feel sick." Cashman's criminal record is extensive, notably including multiple arson convictions.
He previously received a life sentence in 2010 after setting fire to the Spice City Indian restaurant on Stanley Street in Liverpool city centre, as well as the flats above it, causing significant damage.
The fire broke out in the early hours of August 9, 2009.
During the incident, Cashman had watched the flames consume the building but then falsely claimed to the Liverpool ECHO that he had attempted to rescue residents trapped inside.
His lies were quickly uncovered.
The damage caused by that fire was immense, estimated at around £1.7 million, with interior walls and the roof of the historic grade II-listed structure destroyed.
At the time, Cashman was residing on Alfonso Road in the Anfield area.
For his role in that arson, he was sentenced to a minimum of four years.
His criminal history includes another arson offense dating back to 2004, when he set fire to Paco's Bar on Stanley Street after assaulting and returning with a 64-year-old man to his Huyton residence for continued drinking, which ended in flames.
After his most recent crimes, Cashman was returned to prison on a license.
During the court proceedings, his defense lawyer, Ben Berkson, highlighted Cashman's acknowledgment of his sexual interests, noting the difficulty many offenders face in admitting such issues.
Berkson emphasized Cashman's remorse, stating he is committed to managing his sexual attraction to children and expressed shock and remorse at his own admission of being a sex offender.
Cashman pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to cause a child to watch sexual acts, and engaging in sexual communications with a child.
He appeared via video link from HMP Altcourse.
The court sentenced him to 20 months in prison.
In addition, he was handed a ten-year sexual harm prevention order, ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for the same duration, and made it clear that he would remain under supervision.
In her sentencing remarks, Recorder Jeremy Lasker acknowledged Cashman's rare show of remorse in such cases, stating, "It is to your credit, and unusual in the experience of these courts, that you are a defendant who is prepared to accept that you have a sexual interest in young boys.
I do accept a degree of remorse on your part." This case underscores the ongoing concern surrounding online child exploitation and the dangers posed by individuals with a history of violent and predatory behavior, highlighting Liverpool’s continuous efforts to combat such threats.
