SIMON PICKLES CONGLETON AND MACCLESFIELD SEX OFFENDER WALKS FREE DESPITE GUILTY PLEA

In a case that has sparked outrage among victims' families and the wider community, Simon Kenneth Pickles, aged 19, was handed a sentence that many consider insufficient given the serious nature of his crimes. The offences, which involved sexual activities with two young girls, took place in Macclesfield in 2012. Pickles, who was originally from Macclesfield but has since moved to Congleton, admitted to four charges of engaging in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16, as well as two charges involving a child under 13.

Despite the gravity of these allegations, Pickles received a 16-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years. This means he will not serve time in prison unless he commits another offence within the suspension period. In addition to his sentence, he was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), a legal measure designed to restrict his activities and reduce the risk of reoffending. Furthermore, he has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for a period of ten years, requiring him to comply with certain reporting and restrictions.

The mother of one of the victims expressed her profound disappointment and anger at the outcome. She has formally lodged a complaint with the Attorney General, criticizing the leniency of the sentence. She stated, “Our family has endured 28 months of hell. Pickles tore my family apart and destroyed any faith I ever held in the justice system. I am so angry, not only at Pickles and the fact that he has basically got away with what he did, but also angry beyond measure at a justice system that allows victims to suffer while perpetrators are set free.”

She further explained her distress, saying, “My little girl’s life is in tatters because of him and he is now laughing because the British justice system is geared towards the perpetrator of a crime and not the victim. I wanted to see him taken into custody. I was shocked to see him walk free from court.”

Her frustration extends to the legal process itself, as she revealed she has contacted the Attorney General to seek a tougher sentence. She added, “My daughter still has nightmares and finds it difficult to trust people. The impact Pickles has had on our lives is devastating.”

Initially, Pickles denied all the allegations but changed his plea to guilty on the day of his trial at Chester Crown Court. The case now awaits the Attorney General’s review, which has 28 days to decide whether to escalate the matter to the Court of Appeal, potentially seeking a more severe punishment for the offender.