OFFENDERS RACHAEL LARKMAN AND STEVEN KEARSLEY SENTENCED IN OLDHAM FOR CHILD ABUSE AND RELATED OFFENCES
Rachael Larkman, 38, and Steven Kearsley, 35, are both from Oldham and have been convicted of serious offences related to child exploitation.The case centers around Larkman sending child abuse images to her boyfriend, Kearsley, with the intent to keep their 'relationship alive.' The two began their relationship in 2013 after meeting on the website Flirtomatic, where they described their connection as friends with benefits.
However, their relationship took a dark turn when Kearsley started requesting indecent images of children.
Kearsley became notably obsessed with communicating online with children, and authorities later discovered he had been sending messages to a minor.
Larkman admitted to distributing indecent pictures of a child, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Kearsley was convicted of encouraging or assisting an offence believing it would be committed, specifically requesting indecent images of children, and engaging in sexual communication with a minor after a trial.
During an earlier hearing at Minshull Crown Court, prosecutor Robert Smith stated: "He asked Rachael Larkman for topless photos of herself, which she did, but then asked her whether she was interested in pornography." Smith added that Larkman confirmed sending approximately eight to ten photographs.
The arrests followed police awareness of the explicit images and messages exchanged.
Examination of their mobile phones uncovered numerous disturbing messages.
For example, Kearsley was heard asking: "You got any pervy pics?" and saying: "You can send any — even nudes I wouldn't run." Larkman responded with: "Lol having fun?" to which Kearsley replied: "Child abuse is always fun x." The prosecutor highlighted that Kearsley's requests for such images were persistent and driven by his sexual interest in children.
Further investigations revealed Kearsley had been sending inappropriate messages to a child as well.
Both defendants had no prior convictions.
In mitigation, Larkman's solicitor Richard Simons described her as a vulnerable adult and a partner in the context of her relationships.
A psychiatric report indicated she suffers from Battered Wife Syndrome and PTSD.
He noted her immediate admissions of guilt and deep remorse, emphasizing that her offending occurred over three years ago.
Kearsley's legal representative, Vanessa Thomson, provided a less positive portrayal, stating that his pre-sentence report was concerning.
She confirmed he denies the offences and suggested a community-based sentence involving regular face-to-face challenges about morality, which would be more effective than incarceration.
Thomson also mentioned that Kearsley has ongoing health issues stemming from a broken back, affecting his career as an actor.
Sentencing the defendants, Recorder Anna Vigars QC commented on the motives behind the offences.
She said to Larkman: "These offences took place...
to keep your own sexual relationship alive.
But, you have a difficult and traumatic background, and you have demonstrated very significant remorse." To Kearsley, she stated: "Your request was made in the context of a perverted sexual fantasy.
I have read the pre-sentence report, and it is a troubling report.
I see no recognition you had done anything wrong and you sought rather to pass blame to Larkman." Larkman received an 18-month sentence, suspended for two years, along with 30 days of rehabilitation activities and a three-month electronically monitored curfew from 8 pm to 6 am.
Kearsley was sentenced to one year in jail.
Both individuals are to sign the sex offender register for ten years, and Kearsley is also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for a decade.
