BERNARD BANNISTER FROM BAMBER BRIDGE AND RIBBLETON SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR HORRIFIC ABUSE

In a case that has left a lasting scar on the victims and the community, retired school caretaker Bernard Bannister has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against two young boys. The crimes, which spanned over several decades, began in the late 1970s and continued into the 1990s, revealing a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that persisted for nearly 40 years.

Bernard Bannister, now aged 74, was a familiar figure at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School located on Rigby Street in Ribbleton. His role as a caretaker provided him with access to vulnerable children, which he exploited to groom and abuse his victims. The court heard how Bannister, who resided in Riverside, Bamber Bridge, initially gained the trust of the boys and their families, often offering to help them with employment opportunities and inviting the children to his home. These invitations were used as a means to carry out his sexual misconduct.

The first victim, who was only nine years old when the abuse began, was subjected to Bannister’s grooming on school premises, in his car, and at Bannister’s residence. The court was told that the abuse continued until the boy was approximately 16 years old. One of the victim’s statements revealed the profound impact of the trauma, with the man, now in his mid-40s, describing how the abuse left him feeling “dirty and confused about his sexuality,” and how it has caused ongoing difficulties within his family relationships. He also expressed feelings of powerlessness, stating, “I knew something wasn’t right but I was powerless in a way, because I was just a kid. He was the adult and I needed him.”

Another victim, now in his 30s, was abused over a two-year period during the 1990s, when he was between 14 and 15 years old. According to prosecutor Francis McEntee, this young man sought refuge from a troubled home life by visiting Bannister’s house. During these visits, Bannister would buy him treats and gifts, including a bicycle on one occasion, and would show him pornography to normalize the abuse. The court heard that Bannister continued to manipulate and exploit the boy, even providing transportation for his parents to visit him while the abuse persisted.

Following his arrest in October 2011, Bannister initially denied any sexual contact with the boys. However, he later admitted to committing 16 counts of sexual offenses, reflecting a pattern of predatory behavior. Throughout the court proceedings, Bannister sat with his back turned to the gallery where his victims and their families were seated, showing a lack of remorse. His defense lawyer, Rick Holland, acknowledged the gravity of the crimes, stating, “There is probably precious little I can say in any sense that is going to bring any comfort to his victims,” and urged the judge to consider Bannister’s age and guilty plea during sentencing.

Judge Andrew Woolman delivered the sentence, warning Bannister that he “may die in prison,” implying that the long-standing abuse had allowed him to evade justice for many years. The judge’s words underscored the severity of the crimes and the lasting damage inflicted upon the victims, highlighting the community’s demand for justice and the importance of protecting vulnerable children from predators like Bannister.