Locations
Hope Street, Audenshaw, Manchester, Tameside, M34
Description
A paedophile who used fake online profiles to groom and sexually assault teenage girls has been jailed for 10 years, with an additional three years on license.
Scott Kirkham, from Tameside in Greater Manchester, was caught posing as a teenage after an investigation by our Complex Safeguarding Team in Tameside in conjunction with several police forces.
Kirkham pleaded guilty to 30 offences:
- Sexual communication x6
- Cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity x10
- Cause a child to watch a sexual act x6
- Engaging in sexual activity with a child x5
- Malicious communication x2
- Sexual assault on a female over 16
Kirkham, (7/2/2002), of Hope Street, Audenshaw, was jailed for 10 years at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. He will spend another three years on license, have an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and remain on the sex offenders' register.
His offending first came to light after reports from Oxfordshire and south Wales tracked his IP address to Tameside.
He created numerous social media accounts, pretending to be teenager ‘Jake Richardson’ aged 14-16 and using a fake photo to befriend and groom nine vulnerable victims aged from 13 to 17 between March 2020 and April 2021.
He met three of his victims – sometimes with their parents present – in Cumbria and Blackpool, and also sexually assaulted one girl at his address in Tameside.
Detective Constable Angela Pavitt, from our Tameside Complex Safeguarding Team, said:
“We had a report from Oxfordshire and one from south Wales where the IP of the suspect was tracked to Tameside – as part of our investigation we tied these reports to Kirkham.
“Kirkham targeted vulnerable girls, some who were self-harming or in care, pretending to be ‘Jake Richardson’.
“The victims turned to him for help and support – often he would mock them and encourage them to self-harm.
“He met his victims on five occasions, in Manchester, Blackpool, Cumbria and Tameside, and carried out his vile abuse.”
Kirkham was arrested in April 2021 and charged with 41 offences, eventually pleading guilty to 30, and had been on remand since December 2024.
During the investigation, his electronic devices were seized and forensically examined – they included multiple email and social media accounts, and archived WhatsApp chats with teenage girls.
Some of the messages Kirkham sent contained explicit images of his body parts.
DC Pavitt said:
“We welcome the conviction and sentence of Kirkham, who is a manipulative and dangerous individual who posed a significant threat to vulnerable children in our community.
“Kirkham engaged in a sustained campaign of deceit, coercion, and abuse, using fake online identities to groom and exploit young victims.
“Thanks to the bravery and resilience of the victims, and the tireless work of the Tameside Complex Safeguarding Team, under Operation Casement, we have successfully removed a high-risk sexual predator from our streets.
“Kirkham’s actions were calculated and predatory, and his conviction reflects the seriousness of the offences committed.
“We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the victims and their families for their courage throughout the investigation and trial - their strength has been instrumental in securing justice and protecting others from further harm.
“Greater Manchester Police remains committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable individuals. We urge anyone with concerns or information about exploitation to come forward. Together, we can continue to protect our communities and hold offenders accountable.
“You will be believed and listened to, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.”
Kirkham's actions have had a significant and detrimental affect on his victims.
Our Complex Safeguarding teams are multi-agency units comprising children’s social care and health professionals working with police officers to protect children and young people from exploitation and harm.
Detective Chief Inspector Anna Barker, GMP's Vulnerability Lead in Tameside, said:
"At the heart of the team’s mission is a commitment to safeguarding through prevention, education, and enforcement.
"Police officers embedded within the team attend daily multi-agency meetings to support with decision making, engage directly with children and families, and lead investigations into exploitation offences.
"This integrated model ensures that children receive holistic support while perpetrators are identified, disrupted, and prosecuted."