A former Greater Manchester Police officer was sentenced to an eight-month suspended prison term after being convicted of attempting to communicate sexually with a child. Michael Aspinall, 35, was found guilty on three counts following a trial in July at Preston Crown Court.

Aspinall, who lived in Salford, Manchester, engaged in a series of sexual messages with individuals he believed to be minors. In reality, his communications were with an undercover officer posing as a child. Detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit arrested Aspinall in October 2024, leading to his suspension from the police force. He is no longer employed by Greater Manchester Police.

Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Humphreys of Greater Manchester Police described Aspinall’s behavior as “clearly unacceptable” and particularly inappropriate given his role as a serving officer. As a result of his conviction, Aspinall will be placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and will be subject to a serious crime prevention order for five years.