In 2023, the Offender Database reported that Andrew Barton, then 46, of Hunderton Avenue, Hereford, Herefordshire, was sentenced to three years in prison at Northampton Crown Court. On Thursday, 9 February 2023, Barton was jailed after he was caught by undercover police officers attempting to meet a child in Sixfields, Northampton, for sexual purposes.
The investigation established that on 24 October 2022, Barton began an online conversation with a person he believed was a 14-year-old girl, but who was actually an undercover police officer. Within minutes, the interaction became sexual, with Barton requesting oral sex and suggesting the “child” remove her clothes on a video call. He eventually arranged a meeting in Sixfields, promising sexual activity “if she was a good girl.”
Undercover Sting and Arrest
Northamptonshire Police conducted a surveillance operation in Sixfields, observing Barton as he drove his van around the area looking for the decoy. Upon his arrest, he initially attempted to deceive officers by claiming he was “simply making deliveries,” though he later admitted his actions were “stupidity.” The prosecution emphasised that only police intervention at the last minute prevented a potential assault on a real child.
The court heard that Barton has previous convictions for battery and breaching a restraining order. While his defence argued he was “disgusted” with his actions and that this was his first custodial sentence, Judge Rebecca Crane noted that Barton had initially minimised his behaviour, a common occurrence given the stigma associated with such “reprehensible” offences.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in Northampton, Northamptonshire, Andrew Barton was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: Three years in immediate custody.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were imposed (typically 10 years or life for a sentence of this length).
- SHPO: An indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order to monitor his conduct and digital access.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Barton is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by West Mercia Police and Northamptonshire Police. His history of “persistent” sexual interest in a child and his previous violent offending mean his status remains under critical scrutiny.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Barton must comply with strict notification requirements regarding his address in Hereford, Herefordshire. Authorities state that the indefinite SHPO is a “critical” tool to manage the risk he poses to children. Any breach of his registration conditions or his SHPO following his release will result in his immediate return to Northampton Crown Court.
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