A 26-year-old supermarket night manager has been sentenced to nine years at Chelmsford Crown Court after travelling with condoms and lubricant to meet an undercover police officer posing as the mother of a six-year-old girl.
Anthony Birch appeared for sentence before Judge Mary Loram KC on Thursday 8 October 2026 following an undercover operation executed by Essex Police targeting child sexual exploitation.
The court was told that Birch initiated contact in July with an undercover officer operating under the profile name “Courtney”. When communications moved to the Telegram platform, the officer told Birch that she was the mother of a six-year-old daughter. Birch transmitted an explicit image and described the specific sexual acts he intended to carry out on the child. In order to attend the planned rendezvous, Birch rearranged his shift patterns at a local Sainsbury’s supermarket.
Following phone conversations with the operative, Birch agreed to meet in Chelmer Village, Chelmsford, Essex, believing he was to be introduced to the child. Police moved in and arrested Birch shortly after 11am on 27 July. A search of his car uncovered condoms and a tub of lubricant.
Birch pleaded guilty to intentionally arranging a sexual offence alongside charges relating to the making and distribution of indecent images.
Judge Mary Loram KC condemned his actions, stating that Birch went to considerable lengths to achieve his aim of abusing the child and showed complete disregard for the welfare of the victim he believed existed.
Under the provisions of Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, all children and individuals protected under sexual offence proceedings are guaranteed automatic, lifelong statutory anonymity. Publishing, broadcasting, or disseminating any details, names, addresses, educational facilities, or photographs capable of leading to public identification is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Birch pleaded guilty to:
- Intentionally arranging the commission of a child sexual offence
- Making indecent images of children
- Distributing indecent images of children
Passing sentence on 8 October 2026, Judge Mary Loram KC imposed a sentence of nine years, directing that Birch serve six years in custody before spending the remaining three years on licence.
Alongside the custodial sentence, the court ordered:
- An indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) restricting his digital device ownership and internet usage
- Indefinite notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for life under the Sexual Offences Act 2003
- Formal post-custody licence supervision conditions upon release from prison
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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