Locations
Mallorie Road, Stoke-on-trent, City Of Stoke-on-trent, ST6
Description
Pervert Thomas Shaw had sex chats with undercover police officers after believing he was chatting to schoolgirls.
The 38-year-old dad used Kik Messenger to contact two 14-year-olds and a 12-year-old.
He asked them to wear school uniforms when sending photos, carried out a sex act, and asked to meet two of them “without their parents knowing”. Shaw, of Mallorie Road, Norton, pleaded guilty to three counts of attempting sexual communication with a person under 16 and five counts of making indecent images of children in February and March 2025.
Charlotte Johnson, prosecuting, told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court: “Police attended the defendant’s address and seized multiple devices including three phones which all had indecent images of children on them. The age ranges of the children in the images were between four and 12, both female and male. The defendant gave ‘no comment’ answers during the interview and said he couldn't remember speaking to any of the children online.”
Hamish Noble, mitigating, said:
“These offences were committed following separation from his wife. He'd become isolated, bored, he was not working, and was drinking too much. He was lonely and knew it was wrong. He has intense feelings of shame and disgust. He has some understanding of the position of the children in this case.
“He's now stopped drinking and attends a charity at Port Vale Football Club. He’s not been able to see his own children. He had a difficult childhood himself, he was forced to leave his mother’s house aged 12, and he has had some difficulties with her.”
Judge Richard McConaghy imposed a two-year community order including 30 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions and 200 hours unpaid work. Shaw is now subject to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Judge McConaghy said: “You have denied having any sexual interest in children - that is blatantly untrue and something you need to address. You are hiding behind the drink but I acknowledge you are shameful for what has taken place in this case.”