PAEDOPHILE THOMAS LOWE JAILED AFTER PLAN TO ABUSE 14-YEAR-OLD AT WATER PARK
A paedophile was jailed after a trip to a water park where cops said he planned to commit a sexual offence against a 14-year-old boy.Predatory Thomas Lowe, 33, was instead confronted and arrested by police officers.
Lowe believed he was contacting a teen, grooming the 'boy' for days over social media platforms, sending explicit messages and pictures, and making 'arrangements for sexual activity'.
But unbeknown to him, he was actually contacting specialist police officers.
They pounced to arrest him after he arrived at an 'agreed meeting point' he suggested at Sale Water Park in Manchester, reports https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/paedophile-went-to-sale-water-32893250.
Lowe, of Garland Road, Wythenshawe, pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child; arranging/facilitating the commission of sexual activity with a child by penetration and attempting to meet a boy aged under 16 following grooming.
At Manchester Crown Court last Friday, he was jailed for three years.
A 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order - restricting his behaviour and internet use in the future - was also passed and Lowe will remain on the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely, police said.
The North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU), which launched the investigation into him, has welcomed the conviction and sentencing.
Detective Constable Adam Cronshaw, NWROCU Internet Child Abuse Team, said: "Lowe knew that sexually communicating with a child was illegal and completely unacceptable.
By travelling to meet the boy, he demonstrated clear intent to commit a serious sexual offence."
