sexual activity with a girl under 13 and possessing indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child.

Alan Cunningham Sentenced to 19 Years for Child Sex Offences

Alan Cunningham, born on August 1st, 1961, has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for child sex offences. In June 2023, he pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual activity with a girl under 13 and possessing indecent photographs/pseudo-photographs of a child.

The sentencing took place on Friday, October 4th, 2024, at Liverpool Crown Court. Cunningham, who was already serving a three-year prison sentence for other child sex offences, will now spend an additional 15 years in prison followed by a four-year extended licence.

The investigation revealed that Cunningham began sexually assaulting a nine-year-old child in May 2019. He forced the child to send him indecent photographs of herself and continued this abuse until March 2023 when the child's mother noticed inappropriate text messages from Cunningham to her daughter.

The text messages contained sexually suggestive comments such as "Where are my kisses at the end of messages" and "you could have took me to the bath too." During the investigation, category C images were found on Cunningham's device, indicating that he had requested the victim to send nude pictures in exchange for money.

The investigation was led by the Wigan Complex Safeguarding Team and Detective Sergeant Vicki Flemming. This conviction underscores the serious consequences for those who exploit and abuse children.