Michael Ericksen-Tree

Michael Ericksen-Tree, a 48-year-old resident of Wykenham Grove in Maidstone, appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Friday, November 21, where he was sentenced for a series of offences committed in Welling between August and September of the previous year.

The court heard that Ericksen-Tree had attempted to video call a child whilst masturbating, an act that formed part of his conviction for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. Additionally, he was found guilty of making two indecent images of a child, highlighting the serious nature of his sexual misconduct. These actions were described in the proceedings as deliberate attempts to exploit a minor through digital means.

Beyond the sexual offences, Ericksen-Tree admitted to four charges of stealing postal packets in the Welling area, which occurred during the same period. The prosecution outlined how these thefts involved intercepting mail, adding a layer of community disruption to his criminal behaviour.

In passing sentence, the magistrate imposed an 18-month community order on Ericksen-Tree, incorporating a punitive element of a six-month curfew from 9pm, which would be electronically monitored to ensure compliance. Notably, he avoided a custodial sentence despite the gravity of the sexual charges. Furthermore, Ericksen-Tree will be required to sign the sex offenders register for five years, a measure aimed at protecting the public and monitoring his activities post-sentence.

The case was reported by Josh Bolton, court and crime reporter for News Shopper, drawing on details from the court hearing. This incident underscores ongoing concerns about online child exploitation in the UK, with authorities emphasising the importance of vigilance in digital communications.