MATTHEW PIKE FROM PLATT BRIDGE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING MINORS IN BOLTON

In March 2017, a man named Matthew Pike, residing on Lune Road in Platt Bridge, was sentenced to prison for a series of disturbing sexual offences involving minors. Pike, who falsely portrayed himself as a model agent, exploited social media platforms, particularly a fake Facebook page he created, to lure young girls into sending him explicit photographs.

According to court proceedings, Pike’s manipulative tactics involved initially convincing the girls to send him fully clothed pictures. Over time, he persuaded them to undress and send more explicit images. The court heard that in one particularly troubling instance, Pike paid one of the minors for sexually explicit photographs, further demonstrating his predatory behavior.

To deceive the young girls into believing they were pursuing a legitimate modeling career, Pike drew up fake contracts and had them sign these documents. His aim was to create a facade of professionalism, masking his true intent to satisfy his own sexual desires. The court was informed that Pike’s actions were not isolated incidents but part of a pattern of grooming and exploitation.

Prior to his sentencing, Pike had admitted to multiple charges at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court. These included three counts of causing or inciting girls aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, specifically by encouraging them to take and send indecent photographs of themselves. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to a charge of intentionally obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old girl, whom he paid for her services, without reasonably believing she was over 18.

It was also revealed that these offences occurred while Pike was on bail for other unrelated crimes, constituting a breach of his bail conditions. The case was transferred to Bolton Crown Court because the magistrates in Wigan felt that the severity of Pike’s crimes exceeded their sentencing powers.

Ultimately, Pike was sentenced to a total of 20 months in prison. Furthermore, he was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for a period of 10 years. A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also imposed, lasting for a decade, to restrict his activities and protect the community from further harm.

These convictions highlight the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online grooming and exploitation, especially involving vulnerable minors in the Platt Bridge area and beyond.