PAEDOPHILE WHO GROOMED 'GIRL' SHOWED NO REMORSE
A man from Knotty Ash, Andrew Ratchford, aged 43, was convicted following a four-day trial of attempting to communicate sexually with a minor and inciting a minor to perform sexual acts.During the proceedings in January, Ratchford admitted he was aware he was interacting with a fake profile and explained he engaged with a decoy representing a 14-year-old girl called Kiera as a way to retaliate against authorities and paedophile hunter groups.
At the start of his sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Ratchford hesitated and mentioned having a sore back when asked to identify himself.
Prosecutor Martyn Walsh outlined that an online paedophile hunting organization called Elite Hunters created a fake account of a 14-year-old girl late in 2020.
Ratchford interacted with this account, and their messages quickly turned sexually explicit.
The communication involved grooming conduct, with Ratchford offering money and clothing to the decoy girl.
The exchanges became increasingly sexual, with Ratchford requesting the girl to meet him in a hotel and asking her to engage in sexual acts on herself, even sending a nude image of himself in the shower.
The paedophile hunter group arrived at Ratchford’s residence as they also called authorities and streamed his arrest live.
Throughout the trial, Ratchford acknowledged to the jury that he knew he was talking to a hunter group and claimed he was playing along.
A jury of 12 found him guilty unanimously.
Ratchford has prior convictions related to driving, burglary, and assault without sexual connections.
Defense lawyer Fiona McNiell argued that her client insisted he was deceiving the hunters, although she noted he has since sought mental health support and served in the army.
It was revealed that probation services considered Ratchford a high risk to children, especially young girls, a point he dismissed.
Judge Tania Griffiths KC sentenced him to four years in prison, imposed a ten-year sexual harm prevention order, and mandated indefinite notification requirements.
Ratchford’s actions demonstrated grooming behaviour, and the court emphasised he showed no remorse for potentially serious harm caused.
