MAN IN COURT CHARGED WITH TWO DOZEN CHILD SEX OFFENCES
Michael Farney, aged 51, appeared before Worcester Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (July 7) to face charges involving 24 sexual offences.Residing at 75 Michael Crescent, Malvern, Farney is accused of multiple crimes, including six counts of exposing a child under 13 to sexual imagery, five counts of encouraging or causing a girl under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual acts, and three counts related to taking inappropriate photographs or pseudo-photos of minors.
Additionally, he faces three charges of exposing children aged 13 to 15 to sexual images, two counts of attempting to incite non-penetrative sexual activities with girls aged 13 to 15, and two counts of attempting to induce children in the same age group to view sexual images.
There are also separate charges for causing or inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to participate in non-penetrative and penetrative sexual acts, as well as one charge involving a girl under 13 for non-penetrative sexual activity.
The alleged offences occurred between December 2025 and March 2026.
Due to the severity of the allegations, the case was transferred to the crown court for further proceedings.
Farney has been granted bail but is required to appear at Worcester Crown Court on August 4 for a plea hearing.
As a condition of his bail, he is prohibited from making contact with individuals under 18, from using messaging apps that automatically delete communications such as Snapchat, and from deleting search history or using devices unable to retain such data.