ALAN WARD OF BIRKENHEAD AND TRANMERE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS AND EXTREME PORNOGRAPHY

In July 2017, Alan Ward, a 63-year-old man with ties to Birkenhead and Tranmere, faced a severe legal judgment at Liverpool Crown Court following his conviction on multiple serious charges. Ward, who previously worked as a bingo caller in Birkenhead and later as a postman in Weston-Super-Mare, found himself in the courtroom accused of heinous sexual offenses and possession of extreme pornography.

During the trial, it was revealed that Ward was convicted of three counts of sexual assault. The incidents stemmed from an encounter in September 2015, when Ward was drinking with a woman in a pub located in Birkenhead. The woman, significantly younger than Ward, was known to him but they had only a minimal acquaintance. The evening took a troubling turn when Ward suggested that she pretend to be his girlfriend. He then persuaded her to accompany him back to his flat, where they ate a kebab and drank coffee before he called her a cab to leave.

However, once at his residence, Ward committed three acts of sexual penetration against the woman, actions she reported to the police two days later. The victim, who chose to remain anonymous for legal reasons, provided a heartfelt victim impact statement. She described how her personality had drastically changed since the assault, noting that she used to be outgoing and social but now feels paranoid and overly protective of her children. She also reported experiencing flashbacks, mood swings, and has been prescribed anti-depressant medication. Her statement expressed a desire for Ward to understand the harm he caused her.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones, presiding over the case, condemned Ward’s claims during the trial that the DNA evidence was fabricated, describing his denial as “cynical and malicious.” The judge emphasized that Ward’s false accusations had forced the victim to endure a trial, adding to her trauma. Despite acknowledging Ward’s deteriorating physical condition, as he walks with a stick, the judge stated that imprisonment was unavoidable due to the severity of his offenses. Ward was sentenced to five and a half years in prison and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life. Additionally, he received an indefinite restraining order to prevent him from contacting his victim.

Furthermore, the court noted Ward’s internet search history, which indicated a clear interest in specific sexual activities, including the viewing of extreme pornography. Although he faced a charge of possessing 1,078 extreme pornographic images, he denied this allegation, and the case was left unresolved on the file.

Judge Trevor-Jones also took into account Ward’s physical health, which was declining, but ultimately concluded that his offending behavior warranted a categorization as a “person of particular concern.” This designation resulted in an additional 12 months being added to his license period. As Ward was visibly emotional, he began incoherently pleading with the judge not to send him to prison, repeatedly saying, “please your honour.”

In addition to his prison sentence, Ward was ordered to comply with a lifelong requirement to register as a sex offender and was subjected to a restraining order to keep him away from the victim. The case highlights the serious consequences of sexual misconduct and the importance of justice for victims of such crimes.