MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM FROM ALDERMASTON AND BASINGSTOKE JAILED FOR REPEATED CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Aldermaston and Basingstoke, Michael Alan Cunningham, aged 57, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offences involving young girls. The court proceedings revealed a troubling history of Cunningham’s predatory behavior, which spanned several decades and included previous convictions for similar crimes.

During the recent trial, Cunningham faced a series of grave charges that underscored the severity of his actions. These charges included two counts of child rape, three counts of indecency with a child, and twelve counts of indecent assault on a minor. The court was informed that Cunningham’s criminal conduct was not isolated; it was part of a pattern of abuse that had persisted over many years.

It was also disclosed that Cunningham had a prior conviction dating back to 1983, when he was handed a probation order after being convicted of sexual offences committed against his own two young daughters. This earlier conviction painted a disturbing picture of Cunningham’s history of sexual misconduct. After his separation from his wife, Cunningham relocated to Aldermaston, where he became involved in local affairs as a parish councillor. Despite his previous conviction, he continued to offend, leading to his recent arrest and trial.

The judge overseeing Cunningham’s case sentenced him to ten years in prison. In addition to the custodial sentence, Cunningham was ordered to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his activities post-release. The court’s decision underscores the gravity of his crimes and the ongoing threat he poses to the community.

Looking back at Cunningham’s earlier criminal history, it was reported that in September 1983, he was involved in a case where he admitted to repeatedly indecently assaulting his two young daughters. The assaults reportedly took place over a period of two years, with one victim being just eight years old at the time. Cunningham, then residing in Basingstoke, was sentenced to a two-year probation period by Basingstoke Magistrates. The court also mandated that he continue psychiatric treatment and maintain close contact with probation officers.

He pleaded guilty to four charges of indecent assault against one of his daughters, committed in 1978, and two offences against the other girl, who was under five years old. These early offences reveal a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that persisted into his adult life, culminating in the recent convictions that have now led to his imprisonment and lifelong registration as a sex offender.