A REGISTERED sex offender has been convicted of sexually communicating with a child following a complex joint investigation by a Online Child Abuse Investigation Team.
James Davidson of Stockport was sentenced to two years and seven months at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court today after pleading guilty to 25 breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and one count of sexual communication with a child yesterday.
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The victim was identified and safeguarded with specialist support put in place. The child provided evidence which helped investigators build a strong case against Davidson.
Davidson will have his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) extended alongside his Sex Offender Registration Requirements by another 10 years.
He was previously jailed for two years in 2020 for offences including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to meet a girl under 16 following sexual grooming, and attempting to cause a child under 16 to watch a sexual act. Following his release from prison, Davidson was managed by GMP's Sex Offender Management Unit.
In March 2025, officers from SOMU executed a warrant at Davidson's address after receiving information that he may have breached the conditions of his SHPO.
During a search of the property, officers located several electronic devices which Davidson had failed to declare, placing him in breach of both his SHPO and sex offender registration requirements.
Davidson was charged and remanded in custody for these offences before later being granted bail by the courts pending further proceedings.
The devices seized were submitted to GMP's Digital Forensic Investigation Unit for examination. Investigators faced a significant challenge due to the volume of devices recovered and Davidson's refusal to provide passwords and access credentials, which itself constituted a further breach of his SHPO.
Despite these obstacles, forensic specialists successfully decrypted the devices and conducted a detailed examination, uncovering a substantial amount of digital evidence.
Investigators discovered Davidson had been communicating online with multiple girls while using aliases and falsely presenting himself as a 17-year-old boy.
Further enquiries identified a child victim who had been targeted by Davidson. Messages recovered by investigators showed Davidson discussing his desire to have sex with the child.
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After being informed the victim was only aged 14, Davidson stated that he 'didn't care about the age' and went on to describe his sexual desires in explicit detail.
The victim was identified and safeguarded with specialist support put in place. The child provided evidence which helped investigators build a strong case against Davidson.
In June 2025, Davidson was arrested on suspicion of sexual communication with a child. A further search of his address uncovered additional undeclared devices, resulting in further breaches of his SHPO.
Davidson was subsequently charged and remanded into custody. He remained in custody throughout these proceedings.
Although Davidson initially denied the offence of sexual communication with a child and elected for a trial, he changed his plea to guilty on the day his trial was due to commence on Monday 7 September.
Detective Constable Katy Shadwell, of our Online Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: "Davidson is a predatory offender who repeatedly ignored court orders designed to protect children and reduce the risk he posed to the public.
"This investigation demonstrates the determination of our officers and staff to identify and safeguard vulnerable children, regardless of the lengths offenders go to in order to conceal their activity.
"This sentencing is the result of outstanding teamwork in GMP, whose combined efforts uncovered overwhelming evidence of Davidson's offending and ensured he was brought before the courts.
"I would also like to commend the courage of the child victim, whose support and assistance played a vital role in securing this conviction."
Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via 101 or through the Live Chat function on the website, www.gmp.police.uk. Reports can also be made anonymously through the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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