CRAIG MOORS FROM RUNCORN CAUGHT IN SHOCKING SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING SCHOOLBOY AND ONLINE GROOMING
In a series of disturbing incidents spanning several years, Craig Moores, a resident of Runcorn, has been repeatedly involved in serious sexual offenses involving minors and violations of court orders designed to prevent such behavior.Back in June 2019, Moores, then aged 27, was convicted of sending explicit images and videos to a 12-year-old boy while the child was seated at his school desk.
The prosecution revealed that Moores made contact with the young victim through Instagram, claiming to live in Runcorn and sharing his phone number.
As the messages progressed, the content became increasingly inappropriate and 'weird,' prompting the boy to cease communication.
However, Moores persisted, sending a naked image of himself and a video depicting a man performing a sexual act.
The boy confided in his teacher, who subsequently informed his mother.
The mother contacted Moores directly to confront him about his actions, leading to a police search of Moores' bedroom.
Authorities discovered an internet-enabled phone that Moores had failed to register, breaching the terms of his existing Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
This order was initially imposed in August 2018 after Moores arranged to meet what he believed was a 13-year-old girl following online sexual chats.
In reality, he was lured by a paedophile hunter group waiting at a McDonald's in Runcorn, who arrested him.
The court heard that Moores had a history of similar offenses, including a suspended prison sentence for attempting to meet a minor following online interactions.
Most recently, on December 20, Warrington Magistrates’ Court heard how Moores again violated his SHPO on two separate occasions in 2022, specifically on March 7 and August 27.
The violations involved possessing an unregistered mobile phone and Xbox, as well as deleting information from his mobile device to obstruct police review, both actions prohibited under the order.
Prosecutor Georgia Leyland detailed these breaches, emphasizing the seriousness of his repeated misconduct.
Deputy District Judge Andrew Garthwaite expressed that only a custodial sentence could be justified given the gravity of the offenses.
He criticized Moores for his blatant disregard for court orders and his prior convictions of a similar nature.
Despite this, considering Moores' guilty pleas, the judge decided to suspend the sentence.
Moores was sentenced to 50 weeks in prison, suspended for two years.
Additionally, he was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, attend 30 days of rehabilitation activities, and pay court costs of £120 along with a victim surcharge of £156.
Moores, who resides on Lovely Lane in Whitecross, Runcorn, was also subjected to strict conditions including a 7 pm to 6 am curfew and a 10-year registration requirement as a sex offender.
The court’s decision underscores the ongoing concern over his repeated breaches and the potential risk posed to minors in the community.
These incidents highlight the persistent dangers associated with online grooming and the importance of strict enforcement of court orders to protect vulnerable children from sexual exploitation.
Authorities continue to monitor and pursue offenders like Craig Moores to prevent further harm and ensure justice for victims.
