A man has been jailed today for trying to arrange for a baby to be brought to his home to be sexually abused.

Thomas Harrison from Merseyside, sent messages in a bid to arrange for a man to bring a child to his house on 27 July this year.

Harrison had expected them to attend his house on that date, but was instead met by officers from Merseyside Police and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) who had been investigating him. He was arrested and later charged with arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence.

No child was ever taken to the house or harmed.

Harrison was today sentenced to two years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court and has also been issued with a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), and he must sign onto the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

Detective Constable Craig Doyle said: "Harrison has shown by his actions that he clearly poses a danger to children, and I am very pleased to say he is safely behind bars today.

“He will now spend time behind bars where he can no longer pose a risk, and I hope he uses that time to reflect on the seriousness of his offence and the impact it could have had on a victim, their family and the wider community.

“Harrison was caught thanks to the dedicated work of officers from Merseyside Police and NWROCU, and their proactive work has helped stop him before he could carry out his despicable intentions.

“Those officers will continue to work to protect our young people from the very serious harm threatened by sex offenders, bringing them to justice and preventing them from offending.”

DC Doyle added: “If you suspect someone you know has committed a sexual offence or is attempting to, or you yourself have suffered a sexual offence and can find the courage to come forward, we will take your report extremely seriously and investigate it thoroughly.

“Merseyside Police has specially trained officers ready to treat you with care and respect and ensure you are properly supported.”

If you have been the victim of a sexual offence, you can contact the Unity team on 0151 777 1382 or call officers on 101. You can also contact DM @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Support for victims is also available through the registered charity the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre Cheshire and Merseyside, who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063 or Rape and Sexual Assault Merseyside (RASA) on 0151 558 1801.

Only 2 years?, how can that be right ?.

Originally Posted by MICK/GILLY

Only 2 years?, how can that be right ?.

And I'm assuming that he’ll only serve one year of that if he behaves while inside? Disgraceful.

Originally Posted by MICK/GILLY

Only 2 years?, how can that be right ?.

I’m guessing, but he probably only got 2 years due the line in the report:-

‘ No child was ever taken to the house or harmed ‘

Regardless of that, 2 years is nowhere near enough!

Originally Posted by Sap33

I’m guessing, but he probably only got 2 years due the line in the report:-

‘ No child was ever taken to the house or harmed ‘

Regardless of that, 2 years is nowhere near enough!

The intent was clear, such a short sentence only because the intent failed is a travesty, scum like that should be too old to even think of sexual activity by the time they get out.

Sometimes words are too limiting to describe the depths of depravity some people will sink to.

It needs to be actions,

I cannot think of a place in our society this man deserves to occupy.

This "thing" didn't just wake up one day and decide to destroy peoples lives.
"It" obviously has done perverse things before and got away with it.

Is this sentence the best the courts could give, if it is, then we must fear what will happen when "it" gets released.

Originally Posted by silver fox

The intent was clear, such a short sentence only because the intent failed is a travesty, scum like that should be too old to even think of sexual activity by the time they get out.

I couldn’t agree more. 10 times the sentence he was given should be the starting point in my opinion.

You have to think the chances are he didn't suddenly decide to abuse children and will have done this before.

Well done to the Police for holding their noses and pursuing him all the way to court.

I do not agree with capital punishment but sometimes that conviction is sorely tested.