MICHAEL FORD FROM ACOMB SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN YORK

In May 2013, a man from Acomb was sentenced to three years in prison after engaging in a disturbing online and offline pursuit involving a young girl. Michael Ford, aged 39, was found guilty of multiple serious charges related to his inappropriate interactions with a 13-year-old girl, which included exchanging explicit videos and attempting to arrange a physical meeting despite recognizing the moral wrongness of his actions.

According to court proceedings, Ford and the girl initially connected through an internet dating website, where she falsely claimed to be 18. Over the course of several weeks, the pair maintained extensive communication, exchanging approximately 800 explicit contacts via internet chats and text messages. The exchanges escalated to the point where Ford sent the girl sexually explicit videos, clearly indicating his intentions and awareness of the inappropriate nature of their relationship.

Despite the explicit nature of their online interactions, the situation took a turn when the pair agreed to meet in person at Museum Gardens in York. However, when they finally met face-to-face, Ford experienced a sudden change of heart and did not engage in any sexual activity. The meeting was brief, and the relationship between them ended shortly afterward. The court noted that Ford’s actions had a lasting impact on the girl, who was already vulnerable due to various personal issues and previous negative experiences with adults.

Judge Stephen Ashurst, the Recorder of York, emphasized the profound and potentially long-lasting effects of Ford’s conduct, stating that “the full impact of his actions on the girl may not be known for many years to come.” The court also heard that the girl’s circumstances were complicated by other adverse influences in her life, which made her particularly susceptible to exploitation.

Ford’s defense lawyer, Simon Kealey, acknowledged his client’s remorse, describing his behavior as a result of “a sudden collapse of values and a collapse in behaviour.” Ford, who resides on Almsford Drive in Acomb, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of possessing indecent images, two counts of causing or inciting a child to perform sexual activity, and two counts of arranging a sexual offence.

As part of his sentence, Ford was sentenced to three years in prison, with additional restrictions including a lifelong ban from working with children, registration on the sex offenders’ register, and lifetime internet restrictions. The prosecution, led by Paul Cleasby, revealed that Ford and the girl initially communicated through an online dating platform, with the girl claiming to be 18. It was only after they began exchanging messages that she disclosed her true age of 13.

During the investigation, it was uncovered that Ford had encouraged the girl to involve her friends in similar encounters, further highlighting the severity of his misconduct. The disturbing exchanges came to light when the girl’s mother checked her mobile phone after becoming suspicious of her daughter’s activities.

In mitigation, Mr. Kealey stated that Ford had no real excuse for his actions and that he had been struggling with loneliness for several years following a family bereavement. Despite his remorse and guilty plea, the court made it clear that Ford’s actions warranted a significant custodial sentence and lifelong restrictions to protect others from potential harm.