MICHAEL HUNTER FROM LEIGH JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING CHILDREN IN GREATER MANCHESTER

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Michael Hunter, a man from Leigh, has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of multiple serious sex offences involving minors. Hunter, who previously held a position as a sports coach, exploited his role to target vulnerable young boys, leading to a lengthy legal process that culminated in his incarceration.

Police authorities described Hunter as a ‘danger to children,’ a label that underscores the severity of his crimes. His criminal activities came to light after reports of inappropriate conduct surfaced in 2009, prompting the Football Association (FA) to ban him from participating in football activities. Despite this ban, Hunter attempted to circumvent restrictions by seeking employment with various football and rugby teams, often providing false information during background checks. His persistent efforts to continue working within sports organizations despite the ban highlight his disregard for the law and the safety of minors.

Hunter’s attempts to hide his activities were ultimately unsuccessful. The investigation that led to his arrest was triggered when a parent, monitoring his child's social media accounts, noticed an inappropriate image sent by Hunter to a teenage boy. The parent reported this to the police, which initiated a detailed inquiry. Law enforcement officials seized Hunter’s mobile devices and computers, uncovering evidence of his misconduct. Among the materials recovered was an indecent video filmed at Hunter’s residence, which depicted a different young boy. Hunter initially denied any involvement with the footage, but authorities found him in the act of setting up the camera used to record the video.

Further investigations revealed that Hunter had previously sexually abused another young boy, who later came forward to provide a statement. This revelation confirmed the pattern of Hunter’s predatory behavior over a period of time. The police’s thorough investigation and collection of evidence led to Hunter’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.

Michael Hunter, residing on Westborne Avenue, faced multiple charges in court. He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and voyeurism. Additionally, he admitted to engaging in sexual activity with a teenage boy. In light of his crimes, Hunter was sentenced to a total of seven years and four months in prison. The court also imposed a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order, restricting his contact with minors and ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to prevent further harm.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and safeguarding measures to protect children from predators operating under the guise of community roles such as sports coaching.