ANTHONY ELLIS FROM HUYTON CAUGHT IN ONLINE PREDATOR SCHEME INVOLVING UNDERAGE GIRLS IN LIVERPOOL

In February 2021, a disturbing case emerged involving Anthony Ellis, a man from Huyton, who engaged in online conversations with what he believed were underage girls, with the intent of exploiting them sexually. The case was brought to light after police investigations revealed Ellis’s inappropriate and predatory behavior on various internet platforms.

Ellis, aged 60, initiated contact with what he thought were two underage girls through online chatrooms, specifically on the platform Chat Avenue. He used the pseudonym M55INUK and began speaking to a profile named Freya, claiming to be a 59-year-old from Liverpool. During these exchanges, Ellis made explicit comments, asking Freya about her appearance and clothing, and expressing a desire to see her body. He explicitly asked if it was wrong to want to take her top off and stated he wanted to treat her like his 'daur,' a term he used to mean daughter, indicating a disturbing level of familiarity and intent.

He also offered to buy her a fruit cider if she would kiss him and allowed him to feel her legs, further demonstrating his predatory intentions. The conversations continued from December 18, 2019, through February 5, 2020, with Ellis also engaging with another profile named Jess, claiming to be a 12-year-old girl. Between February 3, 2019, and March 12, 2020, Ellis maintained contact with Jess, sending similar messages and expressing concern about being caught by his wife, revealing he had previously been caught using Kik, another messaging platform.

Unbeknownst to Ellis, he was communicating with undercover police officers. Law enforcement officials tracked his IP address to a computer at the University of Liverpool, where Ellis was employed as a laboratory technician. On April 15, 2020, police executed a search warrant at his home in Huyton, seizing two laptops and an iPhone. During police interviews, Ellis admitted to his actions and claimed he wanted help, providing access to his work computer and phone PIN.

Analysis of his devices uncovered that Ellis had accessed Chat Avenue and searched for terms such as 'pre teen' and 'schoolgirl.' Police also discovered 56 images classified as 'upskirting' in a folder labeled 'new.' The images depicted women in school uniforms, but the ages of the women and whether the images were taken with consent could not be determined. Importantly, no indecent images of children were found on his devices.

Ellis’s online activity and searches indicated a clear pattern of sexual interest in underage girls, which led to his arrest and subsequent court proceedings. He was charged with two counts of attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child. The court heard that Ellis had also left his job at the University of Liverpool following his arrest.

Judge Andrew Menary, QC, presiding over the case at Liverpool Crown Court, described Ellis’s behavior as indicative of an unhealthy sexual interest in minors that had persisted for years. The judge emphasized that Ellis’s conversations on Chat Avenue were aimed at deriving sexual gratification and constituted early grooming behavior. While there was no evidence he intended to meet the girls in person, the online interactions were deemed highly inappropriate and exploitative.

Judge Menary highlighted that Ellis’s actions created a corrupt online environment where he could explore and satisfy his illicit desires. He acknowledged that Ellis had suffered personal losses, including the breakdown of his marriage and strained relationships with his children, and noted his previous good character.

As a result, Ellis was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to complete 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirements, sign the Sex Offenders Register for seven years, and was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same duration. These measures aim to prevent further offending and protect the community from potential harm.