DAVID TAYLOR OF WYTHENSHAWE SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR SECOND TIME IN BRUTAL SEX CRIMES CASE

In a chilling case that has shocked the community of Wythenshawe and beyond, David Richard Taylor, aged 66, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the second time after being convicted of a series of heinous sex crimes that spanned over four decades. The Manchester Crown Court heard harrowing details of Taylor’s extensive criminal history, which includes the rape of 11 victims, both male and female, before and after his previous incarceration for murder.

Judge Martin Rudland described Taylor’s crimes as some of the most severe he had encountered in his judicial career, condemning him as one of the worst sex offenders he had ever seen. The court was told that Taylor’s offenses, which were characterized by their 'chilling' and 'degrading' nature, took place from 1970 through 2008, revealing a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that persisted despite his time behind bars.

Throughout the proceedings, Taylor showed no remorse for his actions. He maintained his innocence, denying all allegations, and displayed a defiant attitude by glaring around the courtroom as he was led away to the cells. His refusal to accept responsibility underscored the severity of his crimes and the judge’s decision to impose a life sentence.

The case’s background is particularly tragic. In December 1986, Taylor was involved in a violent incident outside a nightclub in Morecambe, where he drove his vehicle into a group of people following a dispute over a cigarette, resulting in the death of Andrew Williams. This murder led to Taylor being jailed for life, and he served 12 years before being released in 1999. Despite being on license, which allowed for the possibility of recall to prison at any time, Taylor’s criminal activities did not cease.

Within months of his release, Taylor committed further sex offenses, including the rape of a young boy. Over the subsequent years, he attacked two additional boys and molested two girls, leaving a trail of suffering and fear in his wake. These crimes were uncovered through a meticulous investigation initiated after one of his victims, now an adult, came forward to police. The investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse that spanned decades.

In 2009, Taylor was recalled to prison to serve out the remainder of his original life sentence for murder. The recent sentencing, which runs concurrently with his previous sentence, prevents him from applying for parole for at least 12 years. However, given the gravity of his crimes, it is highly unlikely he will be released during his lifetime.

Addressing the court, Judge Rudland emphasized that Taylor’s initial life sentence had failed to deter him from re-offending. He stated, “You accept not one iota of the evidence against you, which was as moving as it was overwhelming. This is one of the most serious cases of its kind. The protection of the public must be paramount. I’m quite satisfied that the circumstances of this demand the imposition of a life sentence and that no other form of sentence will be appropriate for the protection of the public.”

The detective responsible for bringing Taylor to justice, Detective Constable Emma Wilkinson, was commended for her unwavering dedication. The judge praised her efforts, noting, “She has to be commended for having taken that first step from that first complainant to this point – the imposition of life imprisonment for the second time upon a most horrific predatory sex offender, one of the worst I have ever seen in all my experience.”

One of Taylor’s victims, who was just a child at the time of the abuse, was interviewed by police last year. She recounted her traumatic experience, saying, “I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t know it was wrong.” She explained that Taylor had told her the abuse was a ‘special secret’ and threatened that if she told anyone, her mother would ‘batter’ her and her father would go to prison. Her escape came when she managed to thwart an attack by screaming loudly, which caused Taylor to let go. She added, “It got to the point I thought ‘no more, I can’t take any of this any more,’ and he let go of me. After that, it never happened again. Whether or not he was worried that I’d say something, it never happened again.”