ALAN MACDONALD FROM HANLEY SENTENCED IN WREXHAM FOR GROOMING A VULNERABLE TEENAGER

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Alan McDonald, a 50-year-old man from Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting to grooming a teenage girl who was in care in the Wrexham area of North Wales. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about McDonald's actions and the vulnerability of the young girl involved.

On Thursday at Mold Crown Court, Judge Richard Williams handed down the sentence, which also included a requirement for McDonald to register as a sex offender for the next ten years. Additionally, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed to restrict his contact with minors and prevent any further harm.

The court heard that the girl, who was of high school age, was placed in care in Wrexham due to concerns about her safety and the risk of sexual exploitation. Her placement was part of a broader effort to protect her from potential harm, as she had previously gone missing from her care home on multiple occasions and was found returning smelling of cannabis. Staff members observed her in the company of McDonald at a McDonald's restaurant, raising suspicions about their relationship.

On November 22, 2014, the girl went missing again around 2:30 pm. A staff member saw her leave the care home premises, and a subsequent search was initiated. During the search, a man matching McDonald's description was seen in the area, and he was observed picking up someone in his vehicle. Police later identified the vehicle as registered to McDonald. The girl was later seen leaving a pizza restaurant while McDonald was still inside the vehicle. When police arrested him, they found unused condoms in his car, further indicating inappropriate conduct.

McDonald was initially arrested at the scene, and during questioning, he claimed he believed the girl was 21 years old, not aware of her true age. His mobile phone was examined, revealing a lengthy exchange of messages via WhatsApp, consisting of 25 pages of communication, many of which contained sexual content and expressions of his feelings towards her. These messages spanned from October 20, 2014, until his arrest on November 22, 2014.

Despite his claims of innocence regarding sexual contact, the evidence suggested a predatory pattern of behavior. The prosecution argued that McDonald’s interactions demonstrated an intent to engage in penetrative sexual acts with a vulnerable child. The court acknowledged the seriousness of his actions, noting that the starting point for sentencing was four years, with a range of three to seven years, given the nature of the offense and the victim’s vulnerability.

McDonald, who had no previous convictions, was represented by barrister Michael Whitty. His defense highlighted his good character and the fact that he was unaware of the girl’s vulnerable status, emphasizing positive references from his former partner. However, the judge made it clear that such behavior was unacceptable, especially given the predatory nature of the grooming and the girl’s vulnerability. The court decided that the sentence should not be suspended, reflecting the gravity of the offense and the need to protect other potential victims.