MARK DONAGHEY FROM GREAT SUTTON CHARGED WITH SEX OFFENCES IN ELLESMERE PORT AND CHESTER

In February 2017, authorities took significant legal action against Mark Donaghey, a man residing in Elaine Close, Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port, following serious concerns about his conduct involving children. Donaghey, aged 52 at the time, was subjected to an interim order that prohibited him from having any contact with minors, pending a more comprehensive hearing scheduled for May 26. This interim measure was issued by West Cheshire Magistrates Court after police argued that Donaghey posed a very high risk to the community.

Under the terms of the interim order, Donaghey is required to adhere to eight strict conditions. These include a ban on exposing his genitals in public, avoiding any approach towards children, and restrictions on possessing or keeping images of minors without parental consent. Additionally, he is prohibited from using the internet unless on a device that maintains a web history, which police can inspect at any time. The order also stipulates that he must not contact children under 16 unless it is unavoidable in everyday circumstances.

During the hearing, police barrister James Coutts emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The view of the police is that he is a very high risk offender.” This assessment is rooted in Donaghey’s criminal history, which includes a conviction from 2005 when he admitted to two counts of indecent behaviour and requested that five similar offences be taken into account. As a result, he was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison, followed by a five-year license period. His license was later revoked, leading to his recall to prison, where he remained until his release at the end of January 2017.

Representing Donaghey, solicitor Mark Lever did not oppose the interim order but indicated that there might be submissions regarding its duration and specific terms. A risk assessment was scheduled to be conducted before the full hearing in May, to better inform the court’s decision on whether to impose a more permanent Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Magistrates’ chairman Andrew Platt explained that the decision to impose the interim order was made because there was sufficient reason to do so, given the circumstances and the potential risk to children. The court’s concerns are underscored by Donaghey’s past offences, which include a history of indecent acts and attempts to engage with children inappropriately.

In a related case from May 2005, Donaghey was described as a “menace to young children” and was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison for similar offences. The court heard that he had committed multiple indecent acts in front of children aged four to 13 in areas including Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port, and Chester, between May and December of the previous year. Prosecutor Wyn Lloyd Jones detailed how Donaghey had exposed himself, engaged in indecent acts, and offered children money before fleeing on his yellow mountain bike.

Donaghey’s criminal record also includes an 18-month sentence from December 2002 after pleading guilty to attempted indecency with a child, specifically approaching a seven-year-old girl and offering her money to get into his vehicle. Judge Roger Dutton described him as a “sexual menace to young children” and emphasized that the current sentence was intended to protect vulnerable minors, citing Donaghey’s apparent inability to control his impulses.

Following his latest sentencing, the mother of one of Donaghey’s young victims expressed her relief and satisfaction with the length of his imprisonment, stating, “It’s fantastic he got so long. I’m pleased the judge wasn’t lenient. Donaghey had already done this sort of thing before. I don’t think he’s remorseful. Let’s hope the authorities keep an eye on him when he’s finally released.”