NORTHALLERTON MAN CHRISTOPHER MACHIN SENTENCED FOR ONLINE SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS

 |  Red Rose Database

Northallerton Child Sexual Abuser
In September 2021, Christopher Machin, a resident of Northallerton, found himself at the center of a serious criminal case involving online sexual misconduct. The incident unfolded when Machin engaged in a conversation on an online dating platform, believing he was communicating with a teenage girl. Unbeknownst to him, however, he was actually speaking to an adult decoy working for the North-east paedophile hunting team known as the Child Online Safety Team (COST).

Machin, aged 33 at the time, initiated contact with the decoy, who had set up a profile under the name Page18. The conversation began on February 28, and from the outset, the decoy informed Machin that she was only 14 years old and from Gateshead. Despite this clear disclosure, Machin continued to pursue the interaction with persistent requests for photographs. The decoy responded by sending an image of a child, which Machin then asked for a 'cheeky bum pic,' demonstrating his inappropriate intentions.

During the exchange, Machin expressed concerns about the authenticity of the girl’s age, claiming he was 'nervous' and seeking reassurance that it was really her. He proposed having a video call to verify her identity and moved the conversation to WhatsApp, where he continued to push for explicit content. He reassured the decoy by telling her 'not to be scared' and expressed a desire to be the 'first lad to chat naughty to you.' The conversation also included a game where he sent a picture and asked her to match it, further illustrating his inappropriate behavior.

In addition to the online chats, Machin made a 19-minute explicit phone call to the decoy, which was also recorded and presented as evidence in court. The authorities arrested Machin on February 25, and during police interviews, he admitted to his actions. However, he claimed that his memory was hazy due to daily use of cocaine and alcohol, which he said affected his recollection of the events, including the call and some of the chat messages.

At a previous hearing, Machin pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and engaging in sexual communication with a child. Emma Atkinson, prosecuting, detailed the case, emphasizing the manipulative nature of Machin’s conduct and the danger posed by such online predatory behavior.

Representing Machin in court, defense lawyer Amrit Jandoo acknowledged his client’s remorse and awareness of the gravity of his actions. Jandoo also highlighted Machin’s struggles with anxiety and depression and noted that he was prepared to accept a custodial sentence if necessary.

Judge Timothy Stead, presiding over the case at Teesside Crown Court, sentenced Machin to a three-year community order. The judge described Machin’s behavior as 'disgusting' and emphasized that he had 'got carried away in a criminal sense.' As part of his sentence, Machin is required to undertake the Horizon rehabilitation program, complete 40 days of structured rehabilitation, and perform 150 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he was placed under a five-year sexual harm prevention order, aimed at restricting his future contact and behavior to protect potential victims.

Machin’s case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and specialized online safety teams to combat online predatory behavior and protect vulnerable minors from exploitation and abuse.
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