Locations
Michael Crescent, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14
Description
A sex offender who committed a string of offences against children has been jailed.
Michael Farney, aged 51, of Michael Crescent, Malvern pleaded guilty to 24 charges at Worcester Crown Court yesterday (15 October).
Farney’s offences included:
- Nine counts of inciting a girl under 13, or aged between 13 and 15, to engage in sexual activity.
- Eleven counts of causing a child under 13, or aged between 13 and 15, to watch/ look at an image of sexual activity.
- Four counts of taking indecent photographs / pseudo-photograph of a child.
The offences were committed between December 2025 and March 2026 and involved children as young as six.
Farney used Snapchat to engage with young girls, sharing indecent images and videos of himself, and inciting them to engage in sexual acts themselves.
He was arrested by West Mercia Police’s Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team (OCSET) in March 2026 after credible information linked his online account to engaging with a 14-year-old online. He was rearrested the following month, as an examination of his phone revealed he had been engaging in online conversations and video calls with hundreds of young girls.
His phone also contained 40 indecent images of children, including 6 Category A images which are the most extreme. Farney screen recorded his encounters with young children on Snapchat using his mobile phone, which he retained to rewatch at a later date.
Farney will serve nine years and 4 months in jail, a sentence reduced from 14 years in light of his guilty plea.
He has also been given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which prevents him from working with children and will be placed on the sex offenders register for life. His devices have been seized and he will also have to pay a surcharge.
Detective Constable William Thomas said:
“Farney’s predatory behaviour caused harm to a large number of child victims, but we were able to act swiftly and build an investigation which has put him in jail, where he can cause no further harm.
“Every day we are working relentlessly to pursue those who harm children. Often this work goes on unseen but please be assured we are stopping offenders in their tracks, and most importantly protecting the most vulnerable.”
“It’s vital we all play our part in keeping children safe. Make sure you understand the platforms your children are using, and create an environment where children feel comfortable talking and raising concerns. Early intervention and open communication remain some of the most effective tools in preventing online exploitation."