CHRISTOPHER MANNING AND HIS SHOCKING SEXUAL OFFENCES IN LINCOLNSHIRE
A highly dangerous man from Grantham, Lincolnshire, who was found guilty of a series of severe sexual offences committed over a span of more than twenty years, has been handed a lengthy and stringent prison sentence.Christopher Manning, aged 38 and residing on Dalton Close in Grantham, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his crimes.
Additionally, the court imposed an extended licence period of four years upon his release, bringing the total potential duration of his incarceration and supervision to 29 years.
Manning's conviction followed a comprehensive three-week trial held earlier this year, during which he was convicted on a total of 21 separate charges.
These included multiple counts of rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault, as well as making indecent images of children.
The court heard detailed evidence that two of Manning’s victims were minors at the time they were assaulted—a factor that greatly influenced the severity of his sentence.
The presiding judge at Lincoln Crown Court, Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight, delivered her verdict and subsequent sentence, stating explicitly that she considered Manning to be a dangerous offender.
She emphasized that Manning would be subject to an extended licence period of four years after serving his custodial sentence, as a measure to protect the public from potential future harm.
In her remarks, the judge reflected on Manning’s apparent predilections and attitude towards his offences, stating, “I am satisfied you take delight in abusing children and have done so since you were a child.” This comment highlighted her assessment of Manning’s pattern of predatory behaviour.
The court also revealed that Manning engaged in online activities where he contacted girls, and developed an unhealthy interest in indecent images, which ultimately led to his arrest.
His online pursuits included seeking out and viewing illegal material, and he even contacted an undercover officer known as 'Dave,' which contributed to his apprehension.
Throughout the trial, Manning demonstrated no remorse and showed no concern for his victims.
He reportedly accused them of lying and responded aggressively to the accusations against him.
The judge noted with concern that Manning failed to acknowledge the severity of his actions.
She remarked, “You are 38.
You donated a kidney to your father.
There is no other mitigation,” underscoring her view that no circumstances presented in his case warranted leniency.
Furthermore, the court took into account Manning's disturbing online behaviour, which included an expressed interest in infants, raising additional concerns about his potential future risk to society.
As part of his sentence and ongoing supervision, Manning was also subject to a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order, requiring him to adhere to strict restrictions and monitoring.
He is also mandated to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring that authorities maintain ongoing awareness of his whereabouts and activities.
Impact statements from Manning’s victims were read aloud during the proceedings, providing heartbreaking insights into the profound and lasting effects of his crimes.
One woman detailed her ongoing struggles with flashbacks and nightmares, yet expressed a sense of relief that justice was finally served.
Another expressed mistrust towards others outside her immediate family circle, while a third victim summarized the traumatic impact with a simple yet poignant statement: “The impact of the crime on me has been significant.” The court recorded that Manning was convicted of a total of seven counts of rape, along with additional charges including two counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault, three counts of creating indecent photographs of children, and other serious offences such as causing or inciting sexual activity and engaging in sexual communication with a minor.
His criminal activities began as early as when he was a child himself, highlighting the long-term nature of his predation.
Manning was arrested on February 25 of the previous year and vehemently denied all allegations throughout the trial, choosing to give evidence in his own defence.
The prosecution highlighted the disparity in age between Manning and some of his victims and emphasized the need for stringent punishment to reflect the heinousness of his crimes.
Mitigation submissions were made by Karen Walton, who acknowledged the significant future risks Manning posed and argued that his past conduct as a juvenile should be taken into account when deciding on his sentencing.
She pointed out that any release from prison would involve further assessments and oversight before he could potentially re-enter society, notably before the parole board.
Walton also noted that Manning has shown no remorse and appears to refuse accepting responsibility for his actions.
The court was also informed that Manning’s online behaviour and interest in minors warranted ongoing monitoring and restrictions.
In addition to the prison term, the National Crime Agency (NCA) played an essential role in supporting the investigation and victim recovery efforts.
David Levett, a senior investigating officer at the NCA, issued a statement praising the courage of the victims who came forward and provided evidence, describing Manning as the “most prolific and dangerous sexual offender.” Levett stressed that Manning’s conduct inflicted “utterly devastating” harm and underscored the importance of the enforcement actions taken to bring him to justice.
The NCA remains committed to targeting high-risk offenders like Manning and ensuring they face the full force of the law.
