ANDREW O’NEILL FROM SKELMERSDALE GETS HIS SENTENCE CUT AFTER ONLINE GROOMING FAIL

In a recent development in the case involving Andrew O’Neill, a 25-year-old man from Skelmersdale, the severity of his original sentence has been notably reduced following an appeal. O’Neill was initially handed a prison term of 14 years for his involvement in an online grooming scheme, where he believed he was arranging a sexual encounter with a girl. However, the appellate court decided to significantly lower his sentence to just over five years.

During the appeal hearing, the court took into account that the plan to meet the supposed victim was never carried out. The judge emphasized that there was no actual contact with a real child, nor did O’Neill ever meet the individual he believed he was communicating with. This crucial detail played a significant role in the decision to reduce his sentence.

Despite the reduction in prison time, the court maintained certain restrictions. O’Neill was ordered to remain on the sex offender register for a period of ten years and the court upheld the extended license conditions, ensuring ongoing supervision and monitoring. The case highlights the complexities involved in sentencing in online grooming cases, especially when the intended victim is not real and the plan was never executed.