Pervert Who Targeted 'Schoolgirls' Online Told by Judge His Denials Are 'Blatantly Untrue'
A man who believed he was engaging in sexually explicit conversations with three schoolgirls was actually communicating with undercover police officers, a court has heard. Thomas Shaw, aged 38, later denied having any sexual interest in children, but Judge Richard McConaghy told him that was 'blatantly untrue' and something he 'needs to address'.
Online Grooming and Explicit Requests
Shaw had split from his wife when he began talking to the 'young girls' on Kik Messenger, blaming his actions on being 'isolated, bored, and drinking too much'. He asked the 'girls' - two he believed to be 14 and another 12 - to wear school uniforms when sending photos. He also carried out a sex act during the communications and requested to meet two of them 'without their parents knowing'.
Prosecutor Charlotte Johnson told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court that police attended Shaw's address and seized multiple devices, including three phones which all contained indecent images of children. The age ranges of the children in the images were between four and 12, both female and male.
Defendant's Mitigation and Difficult Background
During the interview, Shaw gave 'no comment' answers and said he couldn't remember speaking to any children online. According to reports, mitigating lawyer Hamish Noble stated: 'These offences were committed following separation from his wife. He'd become isolated, bored, he was not working, and was drinking too much. He was lonely and knew it was wrong. He has intense feelings of shame and disgust.'
Noble added that Shaw has some understanding of the position of the children in this case and has now stopped drinking, attending a charity at Port Vale Football Club. The court heard Shaw had a difficult childhood himself, being forced to leave his mother's house aged 12, and has had ongoing difficulties with her.
Guilty Pleas and Sentencing Outcome
Shaw, of Mallorie Road, Norton, pleaded guilty to three attempts of sexual communication with a person under 16 and five counts of making indecent images of children in February and March 2025. He was given a two-year community order which includes:
- 30 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions
- 200 hours of unpaid work
Shaw was also made the subject of a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Judge McConaghy told him: 'You have denied having any sexual interest in children - that is blatantly untrue and something you need to address. You are hiding behind the drink but I acknowledge you are shameful for what has taken place in this case.'
