LONGTOWN MAN ACCUSED OF ONLINE CHILD SEX CRIMES TO BE TRIED LATE 2026
A North Cumbrian man, Joseph McArdle, aged 54 and residing on Moor Road in Longtown, is facing multiple serious allegations related to online child sex crimes.In court, he pleaded not guilty to ten charges involving attempts to engage in sexual communication with and incite minors believed to be aged 12 and 13, as well as the distribution and download of indecent images of children classified as Category A and B.
Additionally, he is accused of downloading these images and discussing online the rape of a child.
The prosecution alleges that the incidents occurred on or around January 18, 2020, March 31, 2020, and between August and November 2020.
McArdle denies the accusations, claiming he was not involved in the alleged online communications.
The case has been adjourned until September 1 next year, with McArdle granted bail.