Sex offender jailed for 10 years after admitting 21 child sex offences

A paedophile from Manchester has been jailed for 10 years after using social media to inappropriately contact and incite children.

Richard Fenton, now known as Rachel Fenton (13/06/1976), of Bideford Drive, Wythenshawe, was sentenced on 9 May 2022 at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to 21 child sex offences and a drug offence:

• Attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity  x7
• Attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity x5
• Causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity x2
• Attempting to cause a child to watch sexual activity
• Attempting to cause a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity
• Making indecent photographs of a child x3
• Distributing an indecent photograph of a child
• Possession of class A drugs

Fenton has also been issued with a sexual harm prevention order and been made to sign the sex offenders register for life.

In November 2020, an online vigilante group reported that they had been communicating with Fenton using a fake profile of a 12-year-old girl.

Fenton tried to incite the girl to engage in sexual activity and send videos not knowing it was a fake profile.

Fenton sent indecent images of himself to the profile and tried to encourage the believed child to engage in sexual activity with an even younger child aged six.

Following this report, police attended Fenton's address in November 2020 and arrested him on suspicion of arranging a child sexual offence and further arrested him on suspicion of possession of a class A controlled drug and possession of cannabis.

At the same time of being in contact with the believed 12-year-old, Fenton had also been in contact with the profile of another 12-year-old girl that was controlled by law enforcement.

Fenton had contacted the undercover operative and carried on the conversation of a sexual nature even after the victim revealed her young age.

Fenton sent indecent images of himself to the operative and tried to incite the believed child to meet with him to engage in sexual activity and send indecent images of herself. 

While on police bail, Fenton inappropriately contacted a third victim, which was in breach of his bail conditions, who was also an undercover operative using a fake profile of a 13-year old girl.

Fenton requested inappropriate images of the girl and again tried to incite the child to meet with him to engage in sexual activity.

In January 2021, police attended Fenton's address a second time and arrested him on suspicion of a number of child sex offences.

Devices were seized and forensic examination found a number of indecent images of children including a large amount of child sexual abuse images and images of young children.

Detective Constable Ceri Martin, of GMP's Sexual Crime Unit, said: "Fenton is a paedophile who knowingly attempted to exploit children for his own sexual gratification.

"This behaviour is deplorable and completely unacceptable. The safety of our children is a top priority in Greater Manchester and I hope today's sentencing spreads the message to anyone thinking of engaging in this type of behaviour that it will not be tolerated.

"GMP will do their absolute utmost to thoroughly investigate all reports of this type of crime and bring the perpetrators to justice."

How to get help

Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims.

If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

- Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.

- Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email [email protected]

- Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to boys and men in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.