NORTHWICH MAN CLAIRE GOODIER SENT TO MALE PRISON AFTER CRIMES INVOLVING DOG AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
| Red Rose Database
Northwich Rapist
In December 2021, Claire Goodier, a 60-year-old resident of Spencer Street in Northwich, was convicted and sentenced for a series of disturbing crimes that have shocked the local community and the wider public. Goodier, who now identifies as a woman but is not legally recognized as such, was sentenced to 20 months in prison following a series of heinous offenses involving bestiality and child exploitation.
Goodier's criminal history includes previous convictions for possessing indecent images of children, with records dating back to 2006 and 2009. Despite her gender identity change, she was still processed and housed in a male prison, HMP Altcourse, located in Liverpool. This facility is a Category B prison and Young Offender Institution, which is designated for male inmates. A source familiar with the prison system clarified that prisoners are typically assigned to facilities that match their legally recognized gender, which in Goodier’s case remains male, despite her self-identification as a woman.
During her court proceedings at Chester Crown Court, Goodier was referred to as Claire and addressed with female pronouns, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was issued under her female identity. The legal framework governing her gender status is the Gender Recognition Act 2004, which allows individuals to change their legal sex and obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate, a document that is valid for purposes such as prison placement.
Judge Steven Everett condemned Goodier’s actions, describing her involvement in the dog act as 'despicable,' 'disgusting,' and 'depraved.' He sentenced her to 20 months in prison, emphasizing the gravity of her crimes. The judge also remarked on her previous criminal record, noting that she had been 'astonishingly lucky' to avoid incarceration in the past, having only received suspended sentences for earlier offenses.
The case was prosecuted by Paulinus Barnes, who detailed the disturbing evidence against Goodier. On July 19, 2019, police officers responded to her residence as part of routine checks due to her status as a registered sex offender for life. During the investigation, a laptop was seized, revealing internet searches related to bestiality. A thorough analysis of the device, completed approximately two years later, uncovered hidden folders containing 31 indecent images depicting sexual acts with an Alsatian dog.
Goodier admitted to possessing these images, revealing that she had fantasized about such acts for several years. She reportedly discussed her desires with others in Northwich and was subsequently introduced to individuals in Bournemouth. In December 2018, she traveled there and participated in the sexual act with other adults and the dog. When arrested on June 17, 2021, police also found a pen drive in her handbag containing the same images, along with 3.5 grams of cocaine.
The court heard that during the time of the offense, Goodier was also in breach of a suspended sentence order imposed earlier that year for failing to comply with a sexual harm prevention order. Her defense lawyer, Simon Mills, acknowledged her honesty with probation services but urged the judge to consider a suspended sentence instead of immediate imprisonment, despite the depraved nature of her actions.
Judge Everett expressed his disagreement with the probation assessment, stating that Goodier’s record was 'appalling' and that her behavior demonstrated a lack of genuine change. He emphasized that her participation in the cocaine-fueled incident and her continued possession of the images for personal gratification showed a troubling pattern. The judge concluded that her breaches and history warranted a custodial sentence, which included a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a requirement to register as a sex offender.
Goodier was visibly distressed, sobbing after the sentence was announced. She was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register and serve the full term of her sentence. Her case highlights the complexities and ongoing debates surrounding gender recognition laws and the placement of offenders within the prison system, especially when their gender identity does not align with their legal status.
In a separate case from January 2006, Goodier, then known as John Ernest Goodier, was convicted of child sexual abuse involving indecent images of a 14-year-old girl. He received a six-month prison sentence after admitting to 20 charges, including taking indecent photos, possessing images, and distributing child pornography. The police investigation was triggered when a photograph of a girl in school uniform was traced back to him. Despite his claims of naivety and a misguided attempt to make the girl happy, the court found his actions inexcusable, emphasizing the need to protect children from exploitation and abuse. His sentence included a three-year extended term, with a year to be served in custody, and a two-year license period. He was also disqualified from working with children and ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years, with his computers and other items seized as evidence.
Goodier's criminal history includes previous convictions for possessing indecent images of children, with records dating back to 2006 and 2009. Despite her gender identity change, she was still processed and housed in a male prison, HMP Altcourse, located in Liverpool. This facility is a Category B prison and Young Offender Institution, which is designated for male inmates. A source familiar with the prison system clarified that prisoners are typically assigned to facilities that match their legally recognized gender, which in Goodier’s case remains male, despite her self-identification as a woman.
During her court proceedings at Chester Crown Court, Goodier was referred to as Claire and addressed with female pronouns, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was issued under her female identity. The legal framework governing her gender status is the Gender Recognition Act 2004, which allows individuals to change their legal sex and obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate, a document that is valid for purposes such as prison placement.
Judge Steven Everett condemned Goodier’s actions, describing her involvement in the dog act as 'despicable,' 'disgusting,' and 'depraved.' He sentenced her to 20 months in prison, emphasizing the gravity of her crimes. The judge also remarked on her previous criminal record, noting that she had been 'astonishingly lucky' to avoid incarceration in the past, having only received suspended sentences for earlier offenses.
The case was prosecuted by Paulinus Barnes, who detailed the disturbing evidence against Goodier. On July 19, 2019, police officers responded to her residence as part of routine checks due to her status as a registered sex offender for life. During the investigation, a laptop was seized, revealing internet searches related to bestiality. A thorough analysis of the device, completed approximately two years later, uncovered hidden folders containing 31 indecent images depicting sexual acts with an Alsatian dog.
Goodier admitted to possessing these images, revealing that she had fantasized about such acts for several years. She reportedly discussed her desires with others in Northwich and was subsequently introduced to individuals in Bournemouth. In December 2018, she traveled there and participated in the sexual act with other adults and the dog. When arrested on June 17, 2021, police also found a pen drive in her handbag containing the same images, along with 3.5 grams of cocaine.
The court heard that during the time of the offense, Goodier was also in breach of a suspended sentence order imposed earlier that year for failing to comply with a sexual harm prevention order. Her defense lawyer, Simon Mills, acknowledged her honesty with probation services but urged the judge to consider a suspended sentence instead of immediate imprisonment, despite the depraved nature of her actions.
Judge Everett expressed his disagreement with the probation assessment, stating that Goodier’s record was 'appalling' and that her behavior demonstrated a lack of genuine change. He emphasized that her participation in the cocaine-fueled incident and her continued possession of the images for personal gratification showed a troubling pattern. The judge concluded that her breaches and history warranted a custodial sentence, which included a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a requirement to register as a sex offender.
Goodier was visibly distressed, sobbing after the sentence was announced. She was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register and serve the full term of her sentence. Her case highlights the complexities and ongoing debates surrounding gender recognition laws and the placement of offenders within the prison system, especially when their gender identity does not align with their legal status.
In a separate case from January 2006, Goodier, then known as John Ernest Goodier, was convicted of child sexual abuse involving indecent images of a 14-year-old girl. He received a six-month prison sentence after admitting to 20 charges, including taking indecent photos, possessing images, and distributing child pornography. The police investigation was triggered when a photograph of a girl in school uniform was traced back to him. Despite his claims of naivety and a misguided attempt to make the girl happy, the court found his actions inexcusable, emphasizing the need to protect children from exploitation and abuse. His sentence included a three-year extended term, with a year to be served in custody, and a two-year license period. He was also disqualified from working with children and ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years, with his computers and other items seized as evidence.