MACCLESFIELD MAN AVOIDS JAIL AFTER ATTEMPTED CHILD SEXUAL COMMUNICATION
A Macclesfield man, Antony Hardern, aged 54, has been sentenced after he admitted to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
Between August 10 and 16, 2023, Harden texted a girl under the age of 16 to discuss meeting at a hotel in Macclesfield for sex.
He also sent the victim messages calling her beautiful and asking about her sexual history.
Harden appeared at Chester Crown Court on March 17 to be sentenced.
Judge Steven Everett sentenced him to four months in prison, suspended for two years.
Additionally, he must complete up to 30 days of rehabilitation activities and 150 hours of unpaid work.
Harden is required to forfeit and have destroyed his mobile phone and computer.
A seven-year sexual harm prevention order was also issued, lasting until March 16, 2032, prohibiting him from living in or entering any household where a child under 16 is present without social services approval, and banning him from communicating with children under 16 unless in unavoidable circumstances or with parental and social services consent.
The order also restricts his use of internet-enabled devices and installation of encryption or wipe software.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
A Macclesfield man, Antony Hardern, aged 54, has been sentenced after he admitted to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. Between August 10 and 16, 2023, Harden texted a girl under the age of 16 to discuss meeting a...
Prison sentence
four months
Judge Steven Everett sentenced him to four months in prison, suspended for two years
Suspended sentence
two years
Judge Steven Everett sentenced him to four months in prison, suspended for two years
Community order
150 hours
Additionally, he must complete up to 30 days of rehabilitation activities and 150 hours of unpaid work
Court order
A seven-year sexual harm prevention order was also issued, lasting until March 16, 2032, prohibiting him from living in or entering any household where a child under 16 is present without social services approval, and banning him from communicating with children under 16 unless in unavoidable circumstances or with parental and social services consent
