Locations
Low Moorlands, Dalston, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA5
Description
A NORTH Cumbrian man sexually pursued young girls via social media platforms, sending some of them indecent images of himself.
Adam Liddell, 40, was identified partly thanks to online detective work by one of his victims, a 12-year-old girl who was left traumatised by his attempt to sexually groom her in the hope of a meeting, Carlisle Crown Court heard.
He reported himself to the police after one of the girl’s friends messaged him to say he was a paedophile and should go away.
The defendant, of Low Moorlands, Dalston, near Carlisle, admitted five charges: two counts of sexually communicating with a child; inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, causing a child to watch sexual activity, and possessing extreme pornography, featuring bestiality.
Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson summarised the facts.
He said the offending happened in February and March of 2022, with Liddell initially focusing his attention on a 12-year-old Cumbrian girl, though her Shapchat profile suggested she was 13.
Liddell contacted her, claiming he was 27, a decade younger than he actually was at the time. His inappropriate messages included asking whether she had ever had sex, and asking to meet.
“He repeatedly asked for her location,” said the prosecutor.
Some of his messages, the court heard, asked the victim for pictures of herself undressed, or in underwear.
The sexual content of Liddell’s messages escalated as he sent a picture of his private parts while he was aroused, asking: “Are you ready for an older man.” The girl was so concerned she showed the message to a friend.
On June 10, 2022, he also sent her a video that showed him touching himself inappropriately. The issue came to a head after the victim investigated the defendant online and identified him.
The girl's friend sent him a blunt message, calling him a paedophile and telling him to go away.
Mr Rogerson said: “Mr Liddell then went to the police after he'd been blocked [from the 12-year-old’s account] and told them he had been having inappropriate conversations with a girl he thought was 15.”
The police investigation revealed Liddell had conducted 14 Snapchat conversations with various female children, asking for photographs and making sexual comments or suggesting meetings.
He asked one 14-year-old girl to let him take her out for dinner.
He also asked her for naked photos, or pictures of her in the shower. Liddell sent another girl five pictures of his private parts, while his internet search terms also revealed his sexual preoccupation with children.
Mr Rogerson noted that Liddell claimed to not know his first victim was aged 12, despite her posts – including ones relating to her 12th birthday – making that fact perfectly obvious.
The court then heard about the impact of his crime on the girl.
After it happened, she struggled to sleep and would wake up after 3am thinking about what could have happened. Fearful Liddell may know where she lived, her family moved house and she started a new school.
“She felt unsafe for months afterwards, even on her own home,” said Mr Rogerson. The 14-year-old girl who also complained said she still thinks of how dangerous it could have been and what could have happened.
Jeff Smith, defending, said Liddell had lived with the consequences of his actions for three years, having lost his job, his marriage and his liberty.
The defendant now has no contact with friends or workmates and his only family relationship to survive was with his mother.
“He is learning his lesson and hopes he can pick up the pieces of his shattered life, which he created himself,” said Mr Smith. He added that it “loneliness, stupidity, and alcohol” brought Liddell to where he is today.
Passing sentence, Judge Michael Fanning said it was clear the defendant – assessed as posing a high-risk to children – had wanted “direct physical” contact with the girls he was contacting.
Of his online activities, the judge said: “It’s grooming, in effect.”
Judge Fanning doubted there was much Liddell could do about his sexual attraction to children other than to recognise it and so prevent further offences.
He said: “It is so serious that only immediate custody can be justified: it was deliberately targeting young girls with a view, I have no doubt, to sexual activity.”
He jailed the defendant for two years and one month. Liddell must remain on the Sex Offender Register indefinitely while there will also be a 15-year sexual harm prevention order to manage the risk he poses.