MICHAEL MOONEY CAUGHT IN ROCK FERRY CEMETERY AFTER BREACHING SEX OFFENDERS ORDER

In October 2021, a disturbing case emerged involving Michael Mooney, a man with a troubling history of child sex offenses, who was found to have repeatedly violated a court order designed to keep him away from minors. Mooney, aged 52 and residing on Old Chester Road in Rock Ferry, had previously been sentenced to nine years in prison in 2005 for child sexual abuse. Following his release, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was issued against him, which was renewed in April 2012, explicitly prohibiting any contact with children. Despite these legal restrictions, Mooney continued to breach the order, engaging in multiple inappropriate encounters with young girls in the vicinity of Bebington cemetery, a location adjacent to a local park in Wirral.

His breaches came to light after a 10-year-old girl confided in her social worker about her interactions with a man she and her friends had encountered in the cemetery. The girl, along with another 10-year-old and an eight-year-old friend, recounted their experiences from May and June of that year. They described how Mooney initially approached them, asking to pet their dog, and then proceeded to follow and stare at them during their playtime. The children recounted that Mooney, claiming to be 26 years old, had approached them multiple times, including when they built a den in the cemetery. During one encounter, he asked about their den and later joined them in a small tent they had brought along, where he made inappropriate comments about having a 14-year-old girlfriend with whom he claimed to have touched body parts. Mooney spent between five and ten minutes inside the tent with the children, engaging in what the court described as grooming behavior.

Further incidents involved Mooney giving the children money, which they used to buy sweets, and at one point, asking them to search him for cash, instructing them to 'pat him down.' He flicked the waistband of his boxer shorts to reveal a £5 note, which he handed to the children. These actions, along with his persistent presence in the cemetery and near local shops, raised serious concerns about his intentions. The children’s mother, devastated by the events, expressed her anguish in court, describing how her daughter’s behavior had changed dramatically—becoming angry and withdrawn—and emphasizing the profound impact the incidents had on her family.

When questioned by authorities, Mooney claimed he was at the park to exercise and that the children had approached him, describing the situation as 'unavoidable.' However, the court found his explanations unconvincing and noted the grooming behavior and predatory nature of his actions. Judge David Potter, presiding over the case at Liverpool Crown Court, acknowledged that while Mooney did not physically assault the children, his conduct suggested a clear pattern of grooming with possible sexual intent. The judge stated, “As to your ultimate intent I cannot exclude it was for sexual gratification. There is clearly evidence of grooming behaviour.”

Mooney pleaded guilty to breaching the Sexual Harm Prevention Order. As a result, he was sentenced to an additional three years and four months in prison. Furthermore, he was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life, underscoring the seriousness of his violations and the court’s concern over his continued risk to children. The case highlights the ongoing dangers posed by individuals with a history of child sexual offenses, especially when they breach court orders meant to protect vulnerable minors. The community remains vigilant, and authorities continue to emphasize the importance of monitoring and enforcing restrictions on known offenders to prevent further harm.