Little Thetford man jailed after trying to meet child to abuse
Michael Clarey, 59, of New Close Road, asked somebody he met online if he could sexually abuse a girl they showed him in a photograph
Last updated 4th Jul 2025
A man from Little Thetford has been jailed after trying to arrange to meet and abuse a six-year-old girl online in February.
Michael Clarey, 59, of New Close Road, Little Thetford, near Ely, was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday, 27 June, after police uncovered his attempts.
Clarey began exchanging messages with someone who sent him a photo of a six-year-old girl. The image was taken from a blog post and was unrelated to the case. Clarey thought he was speaking to the girl’s parent, but police believe it was an online activist group.
He asked if he could sexually abuse the girl and said he would take her shopping and for a meal in Cambridge or Norwich. The conversation ended there, and no meeting took place.
Police discovered the messages after visiting Clarey’s home unannounced on 25 February. Clarey was under a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) imposed in 2021 but was found to have hidden devices, including one behind a television. This device contained the messages.
On 27 June at Peterborough Crown Court, Clarey pleaded guilty to attempting to arrange or facilitate a child sex offence and was jailed for five years and three months.
He must serve an additional five years on licence under the Probation Service. Any breach of this licence could lead to him being recalled to prison.
Clarey also admitted five counts of making indecent images of children, possessing prohibited images, and 14 breaches of his SHPO. These did not lead to further penalties.
Detective Constable Andrew McKeane said: “Clarey was never going to meet the girl whose photo was sent to him online but the intent to commit despicable sexual offences was clear".
“The girl in the photos, which were taken some years ago, had no link to anyone involved and is a victim in this case. We have spoken to her parents in Berkshire and they were understandably shocked and upset.
“Clarey has a complete disregard for the law and is a danger to children. He was aware what his SHPO restricted him from doing, but he chose to ignore it.”