Rochdale man jailed for owning "paedophile manual"
A Rochdale man has become the first person in Greater Manchester to be sentenced for possessing a ‘paedophile manual’.
Daniel O’Neill, 19, of Warwick Road, Failsworth pleaded guilty to owning the document which contained advice and guidance on sexually abusing children.
He was sentenced to four years and two months at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
The charge - Section 69 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 - officially came into force in May last year and supersedes a previous law which made it illegal to publish the manual but not possess one.
O’Neill, who was also jailed for engaging in sexual activity with a child and possessing indecent images, is officially the first to be successfully prosecuted for the offence as a result of a GMP investigation.
In March 2016, police became aware of concerns about O’Neill meeting with an underage girl. Following enquiries it was revealed he had been engaging in sexual activity with a teenage girl.
Officers also searched O’Neill’s address and found indecent images of children on a device as well as a ‘paedophile manual’. He was subsequently arrested and charged.
Detective Chief Inspector John Harris, from GMP’s Rochdale Borough, said: "The full extent of O’Neill’s offences came to light through our dedicated Sunrise Team who work with partner agencies to investigate and combat child sexual exploitation in Rochdale.
> "This conviction is a big step forward for GMP, as well as victims, as it recognises just how serious it is to have one of these ‘manuals’. Even if someone has not necessarily committed a sexual offence, this act allows us to intervene early and arrest someone before they potentially harm a child.> > > > > > > > "Anyone who owns a guide on how to groom or abuse children is clearly a risk to our community and this is demonstrated in O’Neill’s case by the further offences he committed."
An NSPCC spokesperson said:
> “O’Neill possessed a paedophile manual which is utterly horrifying and goes to show the lengths depraved individuals will go to abuse children.> > > > > > > > “He is clearly a danger to children and while behind bars must receive treatment to ensure he is not a threat when released.> > > > > > > > “The change in the law is clearly a significant move forward and we hope this prosecution helps to deter other from seeking out and possessing this kind of material."