ANDREW SHARP'S SHAMEFUL CRIME IN CADISHEAD: EX-SOLDIER SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES NEAR SALFORD

In July 2017, a disturbing case unfolded involving Andrew Sharp, a 29-year-old former soldier and father of four, whose actions have shocked the community of Cadishead, near Salford. Sharp, who had previously served in the British Army, was convicted of engaging in a series of inappropriate and criminal communications with a 15-year-old girl, which ultimately led to his imprisonment.

Sharp’s misconduct came to light after the girl’s father discovered a series of explicit messages and photographs on Facebook. The father, upon noticing that his daughter had forgotten to log out of her account, accessed her profile and found evidence of the inappropriate exchanges. The messages revealed a disturbing pattern of grooming and sexual exploitation, with Sharp repeatedly sending flirtatious messages and explicit images to the young girl, who was underage at the time.

During the two-month period of communication, Sharp, who was a physical training instructor, treated the girl as an object for his sexual gratification. He made several suggestive comments, including statements like, “You’re sexy – do it for me babe, I’ll do it for you,” and implied that she did not need to wait until she was 16, suggesting they could bypass her age if she kept quiet. He also expressed a desire to teach her sexually if she were present, further demonstrating his predatory intent.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, later confided in police that she felt she had “let down” her parents and that the incident had severely impacted her mental health and her aspirations of joining the armed forces. Her disclosures revealed the extent of the emotional and psychological damage caused by Sharp’s actions.

Sharp was arrested after the Facebook messages and photographs were recovered. He later admitted to sending the explicit messages but claimed that the girl had added him as a friend and that he had sent an inappropriate picture of himself while under the influence of alcohol. Despite his claims of not being sexually attracted to her and denying any intent of sexual contact, the evidence presented in court painted a different picture.

Prosecutor Charlotte Crangle outlined the details of the case, emphasizing that Sharp initially approached the girl with innocent intentions, but the relationship quickly escalated into flirtation and sexualized exchanges. The messages included requests for intimate photographs, with Sharp persistently asking for more explicit images, despite the girl’s reluctance. She sent a few pictures, including one of her in underwear and later a photograph of her bare breasts, which Sharp commented on approvingly. He also made explicit references to sexual activity, asking if she wanted him “in her,” and suggested they could avoid waiting until she was 16 if she kept quiet.

Throughout the exchanges, Sharp continued to pressure her for more images, even after she expressed discomfort. The situation culminated when her father discovered the messages, including the photographs, on her Facebook account. He promptly reported the matter to the police, leading to Sharp’s arrest.

At Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester, Judge John Potter sentenced Sharp to 20 months in prison. The judge condemned his actions, highlighting that Sharp, who had a commendable military background, had engaged in wholly inappropriate behavior towards a minor. The court heard that Sharp had served in the army for a decade until he was injured in active service when an explosive device killed his friend. After leaving the military, he worked as a freelance physical training instructor.

Judge Potter emphasized that Sharp’s conduct was a clear case of child sexual abuse, noting that although no physical contact occurred, his actions constituted a serious breach of trust and a form of exploitation. The judge also pointed out that Sharp’s lack of remorse and his attempt to blame the victim were particularly troubling. The court acknowledged the significant emotional and psychological harm inflicted on the girl, which has affected her confidence, mental health, and future ambitions.

Despite the gravity of his crimes, it was reported that Sharp’s current girlfriend, who is employed as a surgical assistant for the NHS, remains supportive of him. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable minors from exploitation, even by individuals with a history of service and respectability.