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Thomas Maher, 64, was found to have engaged in 'deeply disturbing online activity' including discussing plans to commit serious sexual offences against the young girl

A sex offender who was caught planning the abuse of a young girl with a man he believed was her father has been jailed.

Thomas Maher was found to have engaged in "deeply disturbing online activity" which police said was proof of "a clear intent to commit further offences" against the child.

The 64-year-old, from Burnage, Manchester, sent messages via a social media platform in September 2025 to someone he believed to be an adult male, a court heard.

During the exchange, he discussed plans to commit serious sexual offences against the man's daughter, and outlined steps he intended to take to facilitate the abuse, police said.

The North West Regional Organised Crime Unit said: "The police were alerted to the online activity and established that Maher was already on bail for separate offences relating to indecent images of children. He was subsequently arrested at his home address.

"During a search of his vehicle, officers recovered two syringes and his mobile phone, which contained further evidence of his offending."

Maher, 64, of Lane End Road, Burnage, pleaded guilty to arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence; possession of an indecent image of a child; making indecent photographs of a child and possession of extreme pornography.

He was jailed for eight years at Manchester Crown Court on Friday. It followed a joint investigation by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and Police Scotland, reports Manchester Evening News.

Maher was also made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order with an indefinite requirement to be on the Sex Offenders' Register.

Det Con Adam Cronshaw said: "The sentencing reflects the swift and decisive action taken after officers identified Thomas Maher's deeply disturbing online activity involving discussions of serious sexual harm to a child.

"The evidence demonstrated a clear intent to commit further offences, and his guilty plea reflects the strength of evidence against him.

"This investigation highlights our ongoing commitment to protecting children and ensuring those who seek to exploit or harm them are identified, arrested, and brought before the courts."

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