MICHAEL LONGBOTTOM FROM BOOTLE SENTENCED FOR BREACHING SEX OFFENDER ORDERS IN LIVERPOOL
In a serious case that highlights ongoing concerns about the management and monitoring of convicted sex offenders, Michael Longbottom, aged 28, from Bootle, faced the courts in Liverpool for a series of breaches related to his previous convictions and court orders.The proceedings took place at Liverpool Crown Court in January 2023, where Longbottom was sentenced for multiple violations of his sexual harm prevention and notification orders, which were designed to restrict his interactions with children and ensure public safety.
Longbottom’s criminal history includes a conviction from September 22, 2017, when he was sentenced to a suspended term after being found guilty of engaging in sexual activities with a female minor.
As part of his sentence, he was subjected to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
This order explicitly prohibited him from being alone with any child without the explicit consent of the child's parent or guardian, who must also be aware of his criminal record.
Additionally, Longbottom was barred from possessing any device capable of internet access unless he informed the police beforehand, and he was required to submit such devices for inspection upon request.
He was also mandated to notify law enforcement of any change of address and to check in regularly with police authorities.
Despite these strict conditions, Longbottom engaged in a relationship with a mother of two, which lasted over six months, without disclosing his previous sex offences.
His failure to disclose and his subsequent actions constituted multiple breaches of the court orders.
Prosecutor Chris Taylor outlined that Longbottom violated these restrictions on seven separate occasions.
His breaches included going on holiday with the children, secretly possessing a mobile phone, and residing in a location where children were present.
The court heard that Longbottom’s relationship with the woman began on April 14, 2022, when they met at her residence.
He stayed there for four days while her children were with their father, and over time, their relationship deepened.
By July 2022, Longbottom was introduced to her children, initially in public settings such as trips to Southport and New Brighton, to avoid suspicion.
In late August, the woman allowed Longbottom to sleep at her house with the children for the first time.
This arrangement continued every weekend until November, with Longbottom sleeping on a mattress in the living room and the children in separate rooms.
During this period, there were instances where he was left unsupervised with the children for brief moments, raising concerns about his compliance with the court orders.
One notable incident occurred during a four-day trip to Talacre Beach resort in November, where the family shared a caravan.
During this holiday, Longbottom was again around other children and alone with the woman’s children, despite his known history.
After returning from the trip, the woman moved to a new property, and Longbottom effectively moved in, even possessing his own key.
However, his behavior changed abruptly on November 26, when he claimed someone had attempted to break into his home in Bootle.
His reaction was described as strange, and he suddenly left the property without explanation.
Following this incident, the woman blocked his phone number and ended their relationship, later discovering his criminal background.
In her court statement, she described how Longbottom had been alone with her children on several occasions, which she now regrets given his history.
The court also learned that Longbottom had previously breached his orders in 2019 by failing to notify police of his change of address.
During the sentencing hearing, Longbottom submitted a three-page letter to the court, which included a poem by former American judge Dennis Challeen about the prison system’s impact.
The court was also informed that police had found a second phone belonging to Longbottom, which he used to contact the woman, indicating an attempt to conceal his communications and true intentions.
Judge Garett Byrne emphasized the seriousness of the breaches, stating, “You were willing to act deceitfully in that way to try and hide your true position.
This was a persistent breach, offending occurred over a reasonably lengthy period of time.” He further remarked that if the woman had known about Longbottom’s past, she would not have entered into the relationship or allowed him to be with her children.
As a result, the judge sentenced Longbottom to six concurrent terms totaling 28 months of immediate imprisonment.
Additionally, a revised sexual harm prevention order was imposed indefinitely, and a deprivation order was made for the second mobile phone found in his possession, aiming to prevent further breaches and protect the community from potential harm.
