BILL MCCANN OF GRIMSBY AND CLEETHORPES JAILED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE

In May 2014, Bill McCann, the former chairman of the RAF Association in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, was sentenced to prison for sexually abusing a young girl. Known for organizing the annual Armed Forces Day celebrations in Cleethorpes, McCann, aged 67 and residing on Kingsway, Cleethorpes, received a sentence of over five years after a court heard how the abuse left the girl with a lasting scar and a permanent, damaging memory that adversely affected her life.

McCann denied five charges of indecent assault against the girl, but a jury at Grimsby Crown Court convicted him following a trial. Judge Kate Buckingham remarked that the victim was “stunned and shocked” by the offences but noted that McCann “behaved as if nothing had happened.” She described the offences as “persistent,” stating that the abuse “blighted her adolescence” and caused significant harm.

“The abuse was a scar and an indelible memory,” the judge said. The victim described the impact as profound, explaining that the abuse had a “deep impact” on her that no child should endure. She reported feelings of worthlessness, low self-esteem, depression, and the need for counseling.

During the trial, references attesting to McCann’s good character and voluntary work for the RAF Association were introduced. Richard Dawson, speaking on behalf of the defense, highlighted that there had been no repetition of the offences or other criminal behavior. “He continues to deny his involvement in these offences,” Mr. Dawson stated, emphasizing McCann’s contributions to local organizations.

McCann was sentenced to five years and three months in prison. Additionally, he was subjected to an indefinite sexual offences prevention order, required to register as a sex offender indefinitely, and was served with a lifelong restraining order preventing contact with the victim.

Following the sentencing, Graham Malster, the current chairman of the Grimsby and Cleethorpes RAF Association, clarified that McCann had resigned from his RAFA role in November due to health issues and had not been associated with the organization since.

Gavin Marshall, the vice-chairman of the RAF Association and a member of the Armed Forces committee in North East Lincolnshire, expressed his shock at the revelation. He mentioned that McCann had stepped down from the Armed Forces committee on health grounds in July and shared his disappointment: “We were disappointed because he had been part of the association for a long time and what he had achieved was very positive. To suffer losing such a driving force was quite sad but for us, we have moved on, and everything is working quite successfully.”

He added, “This has come completely and utterly out of the blue. We are shocked and surprised. We are finding it hard to believe because he was seen as a pillar of the community.”