KEIRAN ALDERTON SENTENCED IN LIVERPOOL FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES
Keiran Alderton, aged 31, was apprehended outside a B&M store in Hunts Cross, Liverpool, after purchasing three Kinder Eggs intended for a 13-year-old girl he had been communicating with online, under the username 'HornyScouser78'.The young girl he believed he was chatting with was actually an undercover police officer.
Alderton had an explicit conversation, telling her he was 'going to kiss the face off her' and suggesting that 'kissing might lead to more.' During his arrest, police discovered vile child abuse images on his iPhone, including photographs depicting children being raped.
Prosecutor Cheryl Mottram revealed that police had set up a decoy profile of a 13-year-old girl on Kik Messenger and contacted Alderton on June 5.
She explained: 'On that application, she was contacted by HornyScouser78.' Ms Mottram detailed how Alderton, after learning the girl was 13, asked for her details and if she 'liked older blokes.' Alderton sent a photo of himself in a red Liverpool t-shirt, claimed he was 30, and expressed regret that she wasn't older.
He then requested a photo, which he praised as 'well fit with nice lips and eyes.' He suggested they meet and asked what they would do upon meeting, implying a 'little kiss.' They arranged to meet at McDonald's on June 10, 2020, at 11 a.m.
The police officer impersonating the girl asked Alderton to bring Kinder Eggs, to which he responded he was 'going to kiss the face off her' and that 'kissing might lead to more.' Alderton was arrested at a retail park outside a B&M store after purchasing the Kinder Eggs for the girl.
Police subsequently found 347 indecent images of children on his iPhone, including 35 of the most serious category, involving children being raped, with the youngest child depicted being just five years old.
Defence lawyer Mike Hagerty requested that the judge consider suspending any prison term, highlighting that Alderton had admitted his offences early, had no prior convictions, and was facing personal difficulties.
He explained that the offences occurred amid a breakdown in Alderton’s long-term relationship with the mother of his two sons.
As a consequence, Alderton had moved back in with his mother and had only been able to see his children once under supervision.
He also had been unable to see his brother, who has cerebral palsy and whom he cared for.
Mr Hagerty noted Alderton had lost his job after ten years as a carer and lost his home.
He emphasized that Alderton had provided no clear explanation for his actions, asserting that he denies any sexual interest in children but has expressed shame, regret, and remorse.
The judge acknowledged that Alderton suffered from anxiety and depression.
Alderton, of Feltwell Road, Anfield, pleaded guilty to attempting sexual communication with a child, attempting to meet a child after sexual grooming, three counts of making indecent photographs of children, and possessing indecent images.
Judge Anil Murray sentenced Alderton to two years and two months in prison, ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years, and to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same period.
The judge stated: 'You traveled in an effort to meet what you thought was a child, that went beyond looking at images.' He further explained that a pre-sentence report classified Alderton as a 'high risk of serious harm to children should you reoffend,' emphasizing concerns over his sexual preoccupations and denial.
The judge concluded that Alderton posed a continued risk to the public.
