MICHAEL BUCKLEY FROM MIDDLESBROUGH AND REDCAR CAUGHT IN CHILD SEX OFFENDER CASE IN EDINBURGH

In August 2021, Michael Buckley, a man with a troubling history linked to Middlesbrough and Redcar, found himself back in court for violating the strict conditions imposed on him as a registered sex offender. Buckley, who had previously been convicted of attempting to engage in sexual activities with a minor, was brought before Teesside Magistrates' Court after authorities uncovered evidence of his continued breaches of his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

According to prosecutor Rachel Butt, Buckley was discovered to have deliberately deleted various forms of digital evidence from his phone, including browsing history, chat logs, cookies, messages, and emails. Further investigation revealed that he had created an alias under the name 'michael10467,' which he used on a dating website since October of the previous year. These actions were uncovered when police analyzed his device on December 7 of the previous year, exposing his attempts to conceal his online activities.

At the hearing, Buckley, residing on Soppitt Street in Redcar, pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching his SHPO and one count of failing to comply with notification requirements. During a prior court session, his defense team highlighted Buckley's remorse and honesty, noting that he had shown genuine regret and had made early admissions of guilt. They also brought to light Buckley's mental health challenges, including a diagnosis of a low IQ, with a psychologist estimating his mental age at approximately ten and a half years. His background was described as troubled, with histories of depression and a suicide attempt at age 17.

District Judge Helen Cousins questioned Buckley about his understanding of the court orders, which explicitly prohibited him from deleting online history or engaging in online chats. Buckley admitted that initially he did not fully comprehend the restrictions but stated that, after explanation, he understood them clearly. He expressed a firm resolve to avoid such behavior in the future, stating, “Now I have got a cheap Nokia. I’m not doing anything like that in my life ever.”

Recognizing his efforts to comply, Judge Cousins decided to suspend Buckley's sentence, sentencing him to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months. The judge warned Buckley that any further misconduct during this period would result in immediate imprisonment for four and a half months. Additionally, Buckley was ordered to complete 30 days of rehabilitation activities, pay court costs of £85, and a victim surcharge of £122. Before leaving the courtroom, the judge emphasized the importance of compliance, asking Buckley if he understood, to which he responded affirmatively, expressing gratitude for the court's understanding.

Reflecting on Buckley's previous conviction in July 2019, it was revealed that he had attempted to meet a fictitious 13-year-old girl in Edinburgh, believing she was underage. He had engaged in explicit conversations, suggesting sexual acts and offering to be her first sexual partner. Buckley also sent explicit images, including a photo of his genitals and other personal pictures. This communication was part of an operation by a child online safety group targeting potential sex offenders, which successfully caught Buckley in April of that year.

During that earlier investigation, Buckley, then 34 and residing on Stone Street in Middlesbrough, admitted to attempting to communicate sexually with a minor, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and arranging or facilitating a child sex offence. Prosecutor Nigel Soppitt explained that Buckley's interactions included flirtatious exchanges that escalated to overtly sexual conversations, with Buckley expressing a desire to meet in Edinburgh and engage in sexual acts. The group involved police, who arrested Buckley and recovered evidence of his online activity, including explicit messages and photographs. Buckley initially confessed to having a sexual interest in 13-year-old girls but later denied this to a probation officer.

Judge Howard Crowson emphasized the role of the Child Online Safety Team in diverting offenders from harming real children. He pointed out that the culpability of offenders like Buckley is not diminished simply because they were not speaking to a real child at the time. The judge detailed the severity of Buckley's intentions, noting that he had groomed the fictitious girl and discussed engaging in full sexual intercourse, with conversations turning overtly sexual and explicit. The court acknowledged Buckley's intellectual difficulties, which the judge described as functioning at a level comparable to a child, and took this into account when sentencing.

Ultimately, Buckley was sentenced to two years and four months in prison. He was also subjected to a sexual harm prevention order, restricting his contact with under-16s and his use of computers, both for a period of ten years. His name will be registered on the sex offenders' register for the same duration, reflecting the seriousness of his offences and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.