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Former Police Officer Michael Aspinall Convicted After Undercover Child-Safety Investigation
A former Greater Manchester Police officer has been convicted of attempting to engage in sexual communications with children after an undercover investigation uncovered his online activity.
Michael Aspinall, 35, from Salford, was employed by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) when the offences took place. Investigators established that he had been communicating online with people he believed were children. In reality, he was communicating with undercover police officers posing as young people.
Aspinall was arrested in October 2024 by detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) and was immediately suspended from duty.
Following a trial in July 2026, he was found guilty of three counts of attempting sexual communication with a child. He was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on 14 September 2026.
The court imposed an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. Aspinall must also remain on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years, complete 20 days of rehabilitation and is subject to a five-year Serious Crime Prevention Order.
Before his sentencing, Aspinall had resigned from Greater Manchester Police.
A GMP misconduct hearing subsequently found that, had he still been serving as an officer, he would have been dismissed without notice. He has also been added to the College of Policing’s barred list, preventing him from serving as a police officer.
Police said the investigation demonstrated the importance of undercover work in identifying people who attempt to communicate with children online.
Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Humphreys of GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate said Aspinall’s conduct was particularly inappropriate because he was a serving police officer at the time.
GMP has also confirmed that an application has been made to the Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester seeking forfeiture of Aspinall’s police pension.
Key Points
* Michael Aspinall, 35, was a Greater Manchester Police officer when the offences occurred.
* He was arrested in October 2024.
* Undercover officers posed as children during the investigation.
* He was convicted of three counts of attempting sexual communication with a child.
* He received an eight-month sentence suspended for two years.
* He will remain on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.
* He has been barred from policing.
* GMP is seeking consideration of forfeiture of his police pension.
Conclusion
The case highlights how undercover police investigations can be used to identify suspected online offending involving people believed to be children. In Aspinall’s case, the investigation resulted in a criminal conviction, restrictions on his future conduct and his removal from the policing profession.
Attached is a News article regarding Michael aspinall arrested for trying to meet a child
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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