SHOCKING CRIME: MATTHEW KNOTT OF BURY AND MANCHESTER GROOMS 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL ONLINE

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Bury and Manchester, a 24-year-old science teacher named Matthew Knott has been sentenced to four years in prison for his heinous actions involving a young girl. The incident unfolded after Knott, who was employed at Elton High School in Bury, engaged in a calculated scheme to groom a 13-year-old girl through online deception.

Knott created a false online identity under the pseudonym ‘Jessica’ on social media platforms, including Tagged.com, where he initially made contact with the girl after spotting her profile and photograph in May of that year. Under the alias ‘Matt7145,’ he began sending her private messages via MSN, gradually building a relationship based on manipulation and deceit. The messages from ‘Jessica’ became increasingly explicit, with the profile asking provocative questions such as, “Are you looking for some fun?… knickers off kind of fun.”

Over the course of a week, Knott persistently inquired about the girl’s preferences for sexual activities and requested explicit photographs. Although she was hesitant, the young girl eventually sent a photo of herself in her underwear, succumbing to the pressure exerted by the online persona. On May 31, Knott convinced her to meet him in person, initially suggesting she bring a friend for safety. However, her friend was unable to accompany her due to being grounded, and the girl decided to go alone.

Knott picked her up in his car and drove her to his flat. Once there, he took her into his bedroom, sat her on the bed, and began kissing her. According to her account, he then asked her to undress in a manner reminiscent of a teacher, which she complied with. The situation escalated as Knott engaged in sexual intercourse with her, an act that has left the community deeply disturbed. After the encounter, he drove her home and inquired whether she had “had fun,” to which she responded negatively. Knott, in a panic, instructed her to delete all contact from her computer and warned her not to report the incident to the police.

Despite her initial silence, the girl confided in her mother, who promptly contacted law enforcement authorities. Knott was arrested three days later while teaching at Elton High School in Bury. During police questioning, he initially refused to cooperate but later admitted to grooming a child for sexual activity over the internet and engaging in sexual acts with her. An allegation of rape was formally left on file, though no conviction for that specific charge was made.

Judge Michael Henshaw, presiding over the case at Manchester Crown Court, sentenced Knott to four years in prison. The judge emphasized the broader implications of such behavior, stating, “Parents throughout the country are no doubt worried sick about what their offspring might be doing when they are using a computer and they may not realize that there are people like you using false identities to encourage their children to commit offences.”

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Henshaw also ordered Knott to sign the sex offenders register for life, prohibit him from working with children for five years, and restrict his internet access to public places such as libraries or workplaces. Additionally, he was banned from being alone with any female under 16 in private for five years. The court heard that Knott’s actions have not only destroyed his career but have also caused significant harm to the trust placed in him by his community and family. His defense attorney, John Potter, acknowledged the damage done, stating that Knott’s behavior had “quite rightly” led to the end of his career and had harmed others and his loved ones.