JAMES BARBER CAUGHT IN ALTRINCHAM NURSERY SCANDAL: PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED AFTER GROOMING AND SENDING INDECENT IMAGES

In May 2023, a disturbing case unfolded involving James Barber, a man with no fixed address, who was arrested in Altrincham after engaging in heinous online conversations with what he believed were underage girls. The incident took place at a nursery in Altrincham where Barber was employed as a cook, raising serious concerns about safety and safeguarding within the community.

Barber, aged 56, was caught in a sting operation conducted by the North West Organised Crime Squad in collaboration with a paedo-hunter group called Children’s Innocence Matterz. The operation involved decoys acting as minors on various social media platforms, designed to lure and identify individuals seeking to exploit children. Over several days, Barber engaged in grooming behaviors, expressing his preference for young girls, and making inappropriate comments about their innocence. He explicitly stated that he liked “young, sexy girls” and that “young girls just make me excited,” revealing his disturbing attraction to minors.

During the investigation, Barber also sent indecent images of himself to the decoys, which included some of the worst category A images, indicating the severity of his offending. His phone was seized and examined, revealing multiple vile pictures and conversations that confirmed his intent to engage in sexual activities with minors. The police found evidence that he had attempted to initiate sexualized conversations with what he believed were children, including trying to persuade them to watch sexual acts.

On July 12, Barber was arrested at the nursery in Altrincham where he worked. His arrest followed a detailed investigation that uncovered his involvement in online grooming and possession of indecent images. Despite being released on police bail, Barber’s activities did not cease. He continued to communicate with decoys, including a girl who posed as a 14-year-old, on another chat website. In these conversations, he expressed his desire for “a young girl,” and explicitly mentioned that he preferred girls aged 12 or 13. He also showed interest in speaking to a girl’s younger sister and a 10-year-old girl, indicating a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.

Further chats revealed Barber’s obsession with young girls, with him stating, “I like young girls,” and explaining that they “just make me excited” because of their innocence and appearance. He also expressed concern about his attraction, saying, “I worry because I like young,” highlighting his awareness of his problematic tendencies. These conversations took place in late 2023, with the last arrest occurring on December 2, after which Barber gave a police interview in which he refused to comment.

At Manchester Crown Court on May 16, Barber faced justice. The court heard that he had no previous convictions but had already served the equivalent of a 10-month prison term, having spent five months in custody prior to sentencing. The prosecution detailed his grooming activities, possession of indecent images, and attempts to engage minors in sexual conversations. The judge, Recorder Andrew Long, acknowledged the seriousness of the case but opted to suspend the 20-month prison sentence for two years, considering Barber’s cooperation and the potential for rehabilitation.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Barber was ordered to undertake 20 days of rehabilitation activities and participate in the Horizon Programme, which is aimed at helping sex offenders at medium or high risk of reoffending. He was also issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order valid for 10 years and required to register as a sex offender for the same period. The court’s decision underscores the importance of monitoring and rehabilitating offenders to prevent future harm, especially given the disturbing nature of Barber’s offenses and his employment at a nursery in Altrincham.