Blackburn man jailed for trying to chat with underage girls online

BLACKBURN MAN JAILED FOR TRYING TO CHAT WITH UNDERAGE GIRLS ONLINE

An individual named David Moran, aged 40, was involved in online conversations with what he believed to be underage girls, including girls as young as 12 to 14 years old.

During his interactions in September 2022, he thought he was talking to girls named ‘Molly Jackson’, ‘Mia Strummer’, and ‘Poppy’.

Moran was arrested on September 18, 2022, after paedophile hunters visited his home in Accrington Road, Blackburn, and informed the police.

Prosecutors revealed Moran admitted to sending messages to these girls, which included photos of his genitals and videos of sex acts, although he claimed he did not have an attraction to underage girls.

When one girl, ‘Poppy’, disclosed she was 12, Moran ceased contact.

Despite being released under investigation, Moran continued offending and was caught again in 2023 talking to decoys named ‘Katie Wilson’, ‘Ellie Chapman’, and ‘Chloe Thompson’, all aged 13.

He was arrested on November 21, 2023, and pleaded guilty to five counts of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child.

The court heard that Moran lives a solitary, regretful life, suffers from anxiety since an attack at age 18, and has a dog as his only companion.

He expressed remorse and claimed he lacked sexual interest in children.

Judge Robert Altham sentenced Moran to 19 months in prison, ordered him to sign the sex offender register for 10 years, and imposed a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.

The judge cited concerns about Moran's continued offending during investigation and his denial of attraction to young girls.