MICHAEL BICKERTON FROM STOKE-ON-TRENT JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCE IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers posed by online predators, Michael Bickerton, a 49-year-old resident of Minshall Street in Stoke-on-Trent, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after traveling approximately 130 miles to Cambridgeshire with the intent of abusing a 10-year-old girl.

Authorities became aware of Bickerton's activities after he used a website to communicate with others, explicitly stating in his profile that he was interested in children as young as eight years old. His online interactions initially involved email exchanges, during which he demonstrated a disturbing preference for young children.

As the conversations progressed, Bickerton exchanged phone numbers with an individual he met on the site. This contact led to plans for him to travel to St Neots, a town in Cambridgeshire, with the clear purpose of meeting the young girl for sexual abuse. The planned meeting was set for August 26, 2017, and Bickerton arrived at the designated location just after midday.

However, his plans were thwarted when he was swiftly arrested by police officers upon arrival. During the search of his vehicle, officers discovered paraphernalia associated with sexual offences, further implicating him in the planned abuse.

The following day, Bickerton was formally charged with arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence. Despite his denial of the allegations, he faced trial in February of the following year. The case was swiftly decided by a jury, which returned a unanimous guilty verdict after only two hours of deliberation.

On Monday afternoon, May 14, Bickerton appeared before Cambridge Crown Court to be sentenced. The court handed down a sentence of eight years in prison, reflecting the severity of his actions and the nature of his offending. Additionally, he was subjected to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which aims to restrict his access to children and prevent further harm. He was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

During the sentencing, Judge Sean Enright emphasized that Bickerton's sexual interests were deeply entrenched and focused on children, a factor that contributed to the length and severity of his sentence. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by online predators and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children from exploitation.