In 2019, the Offender Database reported that Alan Airey, 34, of Runcorn, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison at Chester Crown Court. Airey, a predatory offender with 49 previous convictions, targeted a 14-year-old girl through social media, grooming her with late-night messages before physically stalking her as she walked to school.
The court heard that the paedophile initiated contact by sending the girl a friend request on Facebook. He manipulated the victim by staying awake with her until 1:00 am on school nights, sending increasingly sexualized messages and comparing her appearance to her mother’s. When the victim attempted to block him, Airey tracked her location and followed her through a park on her way to classes. The victim, terrified and with her heart racing, managed to reach her school and alert a teacher, leading to his immediate arrest. Following his arrest, a second girl came forward to report that Airey had molested her in separate, unrelated circumstances.
During the trial, the prosecution detailed how Airey attempted to excuse his behaviour by claiming he was intoxicated at the time of the messages. However, Judge Simon Berkson dismissed these claims, noting the calculated nature of following the child to her school. The victim provided a harrowing statement, explaining that she no longer feels safe going out alone and questioned why a grown man would target someone he knew was only 14 years old.
Alan Airey admitted to sexual activity with a child and sexual communications with a child. He was sentenced to four years and six months in immediate custody. The judge emphasised that the gravity of the stalking and the grooming of a school-aged child made a custodial sentence the only appropriate outcome to protect the public.
As part of his sentence, Airey was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely. He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which permanently bans him from working with children and places strict, lifelong restrictions on his use of social media and his ability to contact minors. He will be managed under the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Cheshire Constabulary upon his eventual release.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.