MICHAEL MCLERNON FROM ATHERTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENSES AND ANIMAL PORNOGRAPHY

In April 2021, Michael McLernon, a resident of Flapper Fold Lane in Atherton, was brought before Bolton Crown Court to face serious criminal charges related to child sexual abuse and possession of illegal pornography. The proceedings had experienced multiple delays, primarily due to McLernon’s health issues, but during his latest court appearance, he was deemed fit enough to enter guilty pleas to seven separate charges, all of which stemmed from incidents that took place in the autumn of the previous year.

Unbeknownst to McLernon at the time, the individuals he believed to be teenage girls—Daisy, Jodie, and Molly—whom he had been communicating with online, were actually undercover police officers. These officers had been specially trained to track and apprehend individuals involved in online child exploitation. The officers had set up a sting operation to catch predators like McLernon, who believed he was engaging with minors.

During the court proceedings, McLernon admitted that he was aware of the fact that the females he was communicating with were under the age of consent, despite his initial belief that they were teenagers. His admissions included acknowledgment of his involvement in multiple criminal activities, including the possession of 148 extreme pornographic images. These images were described as being grossly offensive, disgusting, and obscene, portraying explicit and realistic depictions of sexual acts.

The court found the evidence sufficient to convict McLernon on all charges, leading to a sentence of two years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to comply with a 10-year registration on the Sex Offenders’ Register, a legal requirement for individuals convicted of sexual offenses. Furthermore, McLernon was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order, also lasting ten years, which restricts his access to internet-enabled devices and other measures aimed at preventing further offenses. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and the importance of vigilant policing in protecting vulnerable minors from predators.