STUART SHARPLES FROM MIDDLETON JAILED FOR SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH UNDERAGE GIRL

In a case that has shocked the local community, Stuart Sharples, a 29-year-old football coach from Middleton, has been sentenced to prison for engaging in a sexual relationship with a girl who was under the age of consent. The incident came to light after the girl’s parents discovered the inappropriate correspondence and reported the matter to the police.

Sharples, who resides on Jubilee Road in Middleton, initially developed a friendship with the young girl he was coaching. Their relationship began with friendly exchanges, including text messages that gradually became more personal. During this period, Sharples also offered to assist the girl with her schoolwork, a gesture that her parents later expressed concern about, suspecting there might be more to his intentions.

When confronted by the girl’s parents, Sharples insisted that his offers of help were purely innocent and without any hidden motives. Despite his claims, the communication between him and the girl continued, and their relationship eventually turned sexual. Evidence uncovered by the girl’s parents included love letters sent by Sharples and a series of gifts, which indicated a deeper, inappropriate connection.

The parents found several of these letters, which explicitly suggested a sexual relationship, prompting them to contact law enforcement authorities. Following their report, police arrested Sharples at his home on Jubilee Road. During police interviews, he admitted to having a sexual relationship with the girl and acknowledged that he was aware she was under the age of consent. His admission led to him pleading guilty to three counts of sexual activity with a child during an earlier court hearing.

On Thursday, at Minshull Street Crown Court, Sharples was sentenced to 32 months in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely, a measure that will impose ongoing restrictions and monitoring.

Detective Constable April Hopwood commented on the case, emphasizing the legal distinctions involved. She stated, “In the strictest sense, this was a consensual sexual relationship. But we need to be absolutely clear that, by law, anyone under the age of 16 cannot give their consent to sexual relations. He should have put a stop to any relationship before it escalated, and because of his training, he was well aware of his duty to protect this girl. Instead, it appears he initiated much of the relationship, pursuing her and sending love letters and gifts.”

She concluded with a warning to others in positions of trust, saying, “I hope this case sends out a message to anyone tempted to abuse their position and engage in inappropriate relationships with minors. Trust must be maintained, and the law must be upheld to protect vulnerable young people.”