MATTHEW BUSHELL SENTENCED IN LIVERPOOL FOR SEX OFFENSES AND ONLINE SEXUAL ADVANCEMENTS
Matthew Bushell, 48, was convicted and sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court for a series of sexual offenses and inappropriate online advertisements.The court detailed his history of sexual misconduct, including luring two women to his Southport home under false pretenses and assaulting them in 2013.
One victim met Bushell at Southport train station in June 2013; he took her to his residence on Cobden Road, where he forcibly kissed her and sucked her fingers, prompting her to call the police.
The following day, police found another woman at his home, claiming she responded to a job interview, but no criminal charges were made against her.
A second woman, attracted by a Gumtree advertisement for cleaners, visited his house in April 2013.
Bushell asked her to clean topless for cash, and during the encounter, he touched her breasts and attempted to persuade her to stay overnight in exchange for money.
Bushell was sentenced to a hospital order and an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
After his release from hospital in February 2015, he was monitored by Merseyside Police's sex offender unit.
Investigations into his electronic devices in October 2020 revealed concerning search terms, but no offenses were found at that time.
However, in February 2021, police uncovered that Bushell had posted 32 advertisements on Viva Street using the username "CoolBoy47," soliciting women for "horny fun" and other sexual services, including topless cleaning.
These postings occurred between December 10 and 16 of that year, inviting women to call, text, or message via WhatsApp.
Prosecutor Simon Duncan explained that Bushell’s history of using sex workers was known and that he had on occasion expressed dissatisfaction with their services to authorities.
During a police interview on March 29, 2021, Bushell admitted to creating the Viva Street account specifically for "some 'consensual sexual entertainment'." He acknowledged placing the ads, receiving numerous responses, but only engaging in phone conversations before stopping due to fears of being caught.
His breach of the SOPO was also admitted.
Bushell's previous convictions include violating the SOPO in February 2018 by placing ads for female cleaners and harassment against a female doctor who previously treated him, involving abusive messages and calls.
His latest conviction also incorporates charges related to criminal damage caused during a drunken spree damaging motor vehicles.
Defence lawyer Mark Phillips described Bushell as remorseful and highlighted his struggles with alcohol, being on the autistic spectrum, and having a low IQ of approximately 71.
The lawyer emphasized that Bushell is a lonely, isolated individual, mostly supported by his father, who described him as impulsive.
Phillips stated Bushell had expressed a willingness to cooperate with authorities following his realization of potential imprisonment.
Judge Stuart Driver, QC, acknowledged Bushell's high level of culpability due to his persistent and deliberate breaches and noted the serious harm and distress caused.
The judge recognized Bushell’s mental health issues, including Asperger’s syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder, as mitigating factors but emphasized that his low intelligence level and risk to the public justified a prison sentence.
Consequently, Bushell was sentenced to two years in prison, during which he showed a thumbs-up and waved to a spectator in the gallery after hearing his sentence.
