ELLESMERE PORT SEX OFFENDER STEVEN MOORE SENTENCED AFTER ONLINE CHAT WITH 'GIRL, 12' AT CENTRE OF CASE

In April 2021, a disturbing case emerged involving Steven Moore, a man from Ellesmere Port, who was found to have engaged in inappropriate online communications with an individual he believed to be a 12-year-old girl. The incident was part of a broader investigation conducted by the National Crime Agency (NCA), which successfully uncovered Moore's activities through a sting operation.

Moore, aged 51 and residing on Lamprey Road in Ellesmere Port, believed he was chatting with a young girl named 'Jess' on the Kik Messenger platform. He posed as a 19-year-old bisexual man, engaging in conversations that quickly turned to sexual topics. During these exchanges, Moore asked 'Jess' about her sexual history, requested photographs, and made suggestive comments, revealing a disturbing pattern of grooming behavior.

The NCA operative behind the disguise had set up the account to catch predators, and Moore's messages included explicit requests for images and detailed discussions about sexual activities. He also inquired about her bra size and expressed interest in her physical appearance, including her legs and stomach. Moore's language was inappropriate and predatory, as he asked her to call him 'sir' or 'daddy' and used terms like 'naughty' to describe her behavior.

In August 2019, Moore initiated contact using the alias 'Daveixxx' and continued his online pursuit, despite claiming to be bored and bisexual. His messages revealed a troubling fixation, with him asking about her sexual experiences and making comments that suggested grooming intentions. The conversation also included Moore asking her to keep their contact secret from her friends.

The police traced Moore’s IP address to his home in Ellesmere Port, and in January 2020, officers attended his residence at 6:45 am. Moore initially refused to provide his phone's PIN, but after unlocking the device, authorities discovered search terms related to 'underage' and other inappropriate content. A Huawei mobile phone was seized, and a 58-second indecent video of an underage girl in the shower was found on the device.

Moore had no prior convictions, but the evidence against him was substantial. Despite this, the case was delayed for several months before charges were formally brought, a timeline criticized by the judge for its slow progression.

During the court proceedings at Chester Crown Court, Moore pleaded guilty to two charges: engaging in sexual communication with a child and possession of indecent images. Prosecutor Ryan Rothwell outlined the details of the case, emphasizing Moore’s predatory behavior and the seriousness of his actions.

Moore’s defense highlighted that he had completed the Lucy Faithfull Foundation’s online course for offenders and had acknowledged an unhealthy sexual interest in children through a written statement obtained on the day of sentencing. The pre-sentence report initially suggested that stress and work-related pressures might have contributed to his behavior, but the judge dismissed this explanation.

Judge Patrick Thompson expressed his frustration with the limitations of the legal system, noting that the charges available to prosecutors restricted the severity of the sentence. He criticized the prosecution for not pursuing more serious charges that could have resulted in a longer prison term, and he also condemned Moore’s actions as grooming rather than the result of stress.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Thompson described Moore as a 'creepy, dirty old man' and emphasized that his claims of boredom and stress were unacceptable justifications for his conduct. The judge sentenced Moore to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, with additional requirements including 20 days of rehabilitation, 200 hours of unpaid work, and registration on the sex offenders register for ten years. Moore was also subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and his Huawei phone was confiscated.

Judge Thompson concluded by stating that Moore’s actions demonstrated a clear unhealthy sexual interest in children, and he warned that such behavior would not be tolerated, emphasizing the importance of protecting vulnerable minors from predators like Moore.