Thomas Lowe

Thomas Lowe, a 33-year-old man from Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on 14 November 2025 for serious child grooming offences. He had pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child, arranging or facilitating the commission of sexual activity with a child by penetration, and attempting to meet a boy under 16 following grooming.

Between 30 July and 8 August 2025, Lowe used two well-known social media platforms to communicate with an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old boy. Over several days, he sent sexually explicit messages and images, and discussed arrangements for sexual activity involving penetration. On 8 August 2025, Lowe travelled to Sale Water Park in Manchester with the intention of meeting the boy to carry out the planned sexual acts.

Upon approaching the agreed meeting point, Lowe was arrested by officers from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit's (NWROCU) Internet Child Abuse Team. He immediately admitted that he knew his actions were wrong. The operation was part of NWROCU's efforts to combat online child exploitation.

At the sentencing hearing held at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square, Judge [name not specified] imposed a custodial sentence of three years' imprisonment on Lowe. Additionally, he was given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and required to remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely. This sentencing reflects the severity of the offences and aims to protect children in the community.

Lowe knew that sexually communicating with a child was illegal and completely unacceptable. By travelling to meet the boy, he demonstrated clear intent to commit a serious sexual offence.

Detective Constable Adam Cronshaw, NWROCU Internet Child Abuse Team

The NWROCU welcomed the sentencing, stating that it sends a strong message to other predators that such behaviour will be robustly investigated and prosecuted. Following his release, Lowe will be subject to strict conditions supervised by a police offender manager.

Source: North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) official news release, published 14 November 2025.