In 2017, the Offender Database recorded that Michael Manion—then aged 22 and then living in Nutley Place, Hove—was jailed for seven years for the child rape of two girls. The investigation established that Manion was convicted of three counts of child rape against a nine-year-old girl and a further count of child rape against a 16-year-old girl. The prosecution reported at the trial that Manion denied the offences, which forced the survivors to give evidence in court before the jury rejected his deceptive defence and found him guilty.
The investigation established that for the counts involving the nine-year-old, Manion was sentenced to 54 months for each, to run concurrently. He received a separate 30-month sentence for the attack on the 16-year-old. The prosecution reported that despite the gravity of the sexual violence perpetrated, Manion was scheduled for release in 2020 after serving only half of his custodial term, leading to significant public concern regarding the ongoing risk he poses to girls.
Judicial Findings and Lack of Remorse
The court reported that Manion has shown absolutely no remorse for his behaviour or the trauma inflicted upon his victims. The investigation established that his refusal to admit his guilt and the nature of his predatory strikes against a child as young as nine identify him as a serious and ongoing risk to the public. The prosecution reported that during the sentencing, the court aimed to reflect the severity of the serial child rape, yet statutory release rules allowed for his early return to the community.
Judge-led proceedings at the time of his conviction ensured that Manion was placed on the sex offenders register for life. For his actions in Hove and the nature of the serial child rape reported, he remains under the highest level of police monitoring. The judge noted that the safety of children is the paramount priority, and authorities state that Manion’s history of strikes against the innocent necessitates permanent oversight to prevent any further violation of human decency.
Status and Statutory Requirements
Based on the judicial records and the 2020 update:
- Custodial Status: RELEASED ON LICENCE (Released in 2020 after serving half of the 2017 sentence).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active FOR LIFE.
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barring List (Indefinite ban on working with children or vulnerable adults; permanently barred from all regulated activity).
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Child rape of a girl under 13 x3; Child rape of a 16-year-old x1).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at the Crown Court; investigated by Sussex Police.
- Criminal Record: Convicted of four counts of child rape; Targeted a girl aged nine; Denied all charges and forced victims to testify; Shown no remorse for his conduct.
- Origin: Nutley Place, Hove, East Sussex.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Manion is managed as a high-risk registered sex offender under the statutory requirements of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) Level 3 in Sussex. Due to the nature of his behaviour—specifically his targeting of multiple young girls and his lack of rehabilitative progress—he is a priority for the most intensive community supervision. Authorities reported that his 2020 release was subject to strict licence conditions, which include residency restrictions and digital monitoring to prevent further predatory strikes.
As a registered sex offender for life, his details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that Manion’s behaviour identifies an individual who prioritised his own gratification over the safety and human rights of children. Any failure by Manion to adhere to his notification requirements or licence conditions in Hove or elsewhere will result in immediate police intervention to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from a man who has violated the principles of human decency.
QUESTION – Given that the offender “Showed No Remorse” and forced a nine-year-old to give evidence, do you believe that “Automatic Early Release” should legally be prohibited for any sex offender who denies their crime and fails to admit their guilt?
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