ALEXANDER WALSH FROM RADCLIFFE SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL IN MANCHESTER

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Radcliffe and the wider Manchester area, 84-year-old Alexander Walsh has been sentenced to prison for the heinous crimes committed against a young girl. Walsh, a resident of Coronation Road in Radcliffe, was found guilty of multiple charges related to the sexual abuse and rape of a girl aged between 10 and 12 years old.

His crimes spanned over a period of two years, during which he exploited the innocence of the young victim through a series of sexual assaults. The disturbing revelations only came to light after the girl, who was around 11 years old at the time, confided in her mother following a sex education lesson at school. This disclosure marked the beginning of a police investigation that uncovered the extent of Walsh’s abuse.

Prosecutor Louise Brandon detailed the events to the court, recounting that on July 13 of the previous year, the girl was walking to school with her mother when she revealed that Walsh had “lifted up her skirt a little bit,” leaving her feeling confused and distressed. The girl’s realization that what had happened was wrong was prompted by her recent lessons about sex at school, which helped her understand the nature of Walsh’s actions.

Following her initial disclosure, the girl was interviewed by police, and her family was also involved in providing further details. The court heard that Walsh’s abuse began after the girl had heard a reference to sex on television and asked him about its meaning. In response, Walsh sat her on his lap and engaged in inappropriate sexual touching. Over the subsequent months, Walsh continued to manipulate and abuse her, often playing “games” that involved dressing up, including an incident where he asked her to wear a pencil skirt, during which he touched her sexually.

It was revealed that Walsh’s abuse was not limited to a single incident. He repeatedly assaulted the girl on numerous occasions, including forcing her to perform a sex act on him. On one particularly disturbing occasion, Walsh bounced the girl up and down on his lap before raping her. The court was told that Walsh admitted to touching her when questioned by police, claiming that she had wanted him to do so, which further highlights the manipulative nature of his actions.

Initially, Walsh pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault. However, on the day his trial was scheduled to commence, he admitted to a third count and the charge of rape, indicating a recognition of the full extent of his crimes.

During the sentencing hearing, the victim’s mother delivered a heartfelt victim impact statement, describing the emotional toll the abuse had taken on her daughter. She tearfully explained that the past year had been “hell,” with her daughter becoming suicidal and even contemplating ending her own life. She expressed her anguish, stating, “The thing that has hurt me the most was when [my daughter] said she no longer wanted to be alive because of you.”

Despite the horror of the case, the mother praised her daughter’s courage in coming forward, highlighting the importance of sex education in helping her daughter recognize and report the abuse. She said, “I applaud her school for teaching sex education as this was how he got caught. July 13 was the day that [my daughter] found the courage to tell me, and that is something I was always proud of because she helped put a stop to it.”

Defending Walsh, Gordon Hennell described the case as “extreme and tragic,” emphasizing that Walsh had shown “genuine remorse” for his actions. He expressed regret on his client’s behalf, stating, “All I can say on his behalf is that he is sorry for what he has done.”

Judge Maurice Greene delivered the sentence, condemning Walsh for taking advantage of the young girl’s vulnerability. Walsh was sentenced to nine years in prison and was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely. The judge acknowledged Walsh’s age and health, noting that he was “not in the best of health — but not that bad for a man of your age,” but emphasized that Walsh’s remorse appeared genuine and that he had no previous convictions, being of previously good character.

This case underscores the importance of vigilance and education in protecting children from abuse, and the community of Radcliffe and Manchester will undoubtedly be affected by the tragic details of this case for years to come.