CLIFFORD MANLEY FROM KIDSGROVE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN STOKE-ON-TRENT

In October 2016, Clifford Manley, a 47-year-old resident of Kidsgrove, was convicted and subsequently sentenced for a series of serious sexual offences involving a young girl. The case came to light after police investigations revealed that Manley had not only sexually abused a schoolgirl but also recorded the abuse on video, which he kept stored on his personal computer.

Police officers executed a search warrant at Manley's home in Kidsgrove following a tip-off that he possessed indecent images of children. During the raid on June 15, law enforcement officials seized multiple electronic devices, including three laptops, a thumb drive, and several memory cards. The subsequent examination of these devices uncovered hundreds of indecent images of children, with more than 80 of these images being directly linked to the abuse of the victim in question.

Prosecutor Howard Searle explained that the investigation revealed no evidence suggesting that Manley had conducted internet searches for these images, indicating that he likely received them from external sources. The images depicted girls both pre- and post-pubescent, highlighting the disturbing nature of the material stored on his devices. When questioned by police, Manley admitted to exchanging images but denied that any of the images he possessed were of the girl he had sexually assaulted.

Further investigation uncovered that Manley had committed multiple offences, including four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, one count of assault of a child under 13 by penetration, three charges of taking indecent photographs of children, and three additional offences related to making indecent photographs of children. These offences collectively demonstrated a pattern of predatory behavior and exploitation.

At Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, Judge Timothy Smith sentenced Manley to a total of seven years and four months in prison. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the gravity of the crimes, noting that Manley had recorded his abuse, likely for his own sexual gratification. Judge Smith also highlighted the broader implications of such crimes, stating, “For those who sit in the comfort of their own home watching this abuse, they may think it is not really happening. But these are also real children being exploited for the sexual gratification of people such as yourself.”

Additionally, a sexual harm prevention order was imposed, restricting Manley's contact with children except under specific, controlled circumstances. The court's decision underscores the serious nature of his offences and the ongoing threat posed to the safety of children in the community.