Man jailed for multiple child sex offences

Andrew Cork has been sentenced to 11 years in prison

A man from Crewe has been jailed for a number of child sex offences.

Andrew Cork appeared at Chester Crown Court, where he was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Cheshire Police said they were contacted by their counterparts in Norfolk over a report that a man had been engaging in sexual communications with a 9-year-old in Norfolk.

They also discovered he had been engaging in sexual communications with an 11-year-old child in Birmingham.

Officers discovered more than 300 indecent images of children and more than 60 sexually explicit videos of children on his electronic devices.

Cork was later charged in relation to all the offences.

The 53-year-old, of Verdin Court, Leighton, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in sexual communications with a child, and three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

He also admitted one count of possession of indecent images of children and three counts of making indecent images of children and one further count of distributing indecent images of children.

'Professional paedophile'

Following his sentencing Det Con Faye Taylor said: “Our investigation into Cork’s online activity showed him to be a professional paedophile who used the internet and social media to sexually exploit vulnerable victims.

“He regularly engaged in sexually-explicit communications with two vulnerable children and enticed them to engage in sexual acts for his own sexual gratification.

“On top of this he was also in possession of hundreds of indecent images and videos of young children.”

She said the sentence he received demonstrated the severity of his actions.

“I hope that it provides some reassurance and closure for the victims, who have shown immense bravery and courage throughout the investigation,” Det Con Taylor added.

In addition to his custodial sentence, Cork was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and handed a lifetime sexual harm prevention order in Friday's hearing.