Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Friday 2nd May 2025 at 17:30hrs
A man formerly from Southport has been handed a 20-year prison sentence today after admitting to a horrifying catalogue of 27 child sex offences committed across the UK.
Michael Lymath, 43, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court, with an additional eight years added as an extended licence period upon his release.
The shocking details emerged after detectives arrested Lymath in December last year following a report from a young victim who had been offered payment for explicit images. A subsequent search of his Southport address uncovered numerous pieces of evidence.
Initially charged with the reported offence, along with possession of cannabis, cocaine, and an offensive weapon, the investigation soon unravelled the true extent of Lymath’s depravity.
While in custody, detectives meticulously pieced together Lymath’s extensive criminal activity, revealing a sickening pattern of abuse spanning from 2020 until his arrest in December 2024.
The additional charges he ultimately pleaded guilty to paint a grim picture of his predatory behaviour, including the rape of a girl under the age of 13, inciting and causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual communication with children, attempting to incite sexual activity with a child, and two counts of forcing a child to watch sexually explicit material.
The court heard how Lymath would cunningly target vulnerable children on social media, often masquerading as a 17-year-old boy to gain their trust. His manipulative tactics involved grooming victims online before arranging to meet them in person for sexual acts. He also lured numerous children into sending explicit images by offering them payment.
Detective Constable Rory Quigley, who was involved in the complex investigation, described Lymath as a “prolific sexual predator” who “manipulated his vulnerable young victims” for his own gratification, falsely believing he could evade justice. He revealed the disturbing lengths Lymath went to, including sending explicit videos to children and, in one instance, threatening a victim by claiming to know their address to coerce them into sending Category A, B, and C indecent images.
Detective Chief Inspector Lisa McNaughton commended the victims for their “courage and bravery” throughout the investigation, emphasizing Merseyside Police’s unwavering commitment to protecting children. She expressed hope that the significant custodial sentence would reassure victims that their cases are taken with the utmost seriousness and that the police will relentlessly pursue and prosecute offenders.
Merseyside Police is urging anyone who has experienced any form of sexual abuse or knows of a child being abused to come forward. Support is available through specialist officers and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service, as well as through local charities like RASA Merseyside and RASASC Cheshire and Merseyside.
For children and young people in need of help, the NSPCC (0808 800 5000), and Childline (0800 1111) offer confidential support.
Merseyside Police also collaborates with national and international agencies, including the Child Exploitation Online Protection centre (CEOP), to safeguard children online.
Resources and advice for parents and victims on online safety can be found on the Merseyside Police and Thinkuknow websites.
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