EDWARD TRICKETT FROM BURNLEY AND LEVENSHULME JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN SUFFOLK WOODS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Burnley and Levenshulme, Edward Trickett, a paramedic with a troubling history, has been sentenced to four years in prison for the sexual assault of a teenage boy in Suffolk. The incident unfolded in June of the previous year, when Trickett, then based at a hospital in Burnley and later transferred to a medical facility in Manchester, traveled to Suffolk to meet his young victim.

Trickett, who resides on Cromwell Grove in Levenshulme, had established contact with the teenage boy through an online chat room. Over a series of conversations, he became aware of the boy’s age and continued to communicate with him, ultimately persuading him to meet in Theberton Forest, a secluded woodland area in Suffolk. The court heard that Trickett made two separate trips to the area for the purpose of meeting the boy.

During the proceedings at Ipswich Crown Court, prosecutor Michael Crimp detailed the nature of the online interactions. He explained that the boy, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, disclosed his age during their online exchanges. Crimp stated, “We say he was fully aware of the boy’s age when he drove down from the north to meet him.” The court was told that upon their meeting, Trickett asked the boy for a kiss, which the boy consented to. The situation escalated when they moved to a more secluded part of the woods, where the victim expressed concern about Trickett’s intentions. The boy questioned Trickett about his feelings regarding his age, to which Trickett responded that he could do whatever he wanted to him.

Defense lawyer Katherine Pierpoint highlighted that Trickett had himself been a victim of sexual assault at the age of 14, attempting to portray his actions as out of character. She emphasized that he had maintained an otherwise impeccable reputation prior to these events. Despite this, Judge John Devaux sentenced Trickett to four years in prison, ordered him to register as a sex offender indefinitely, and imposed a lifelong ban on working with children.

The judge remarked on the severity of the case, stating, “You have lost your career permanently and your relationship with your family, at least in the short term. But in this case, there was a considerable age gap, and you knew the boy’s age. You groomed him over a series of weeks.”

Following the allegations, Trickett was suspended from his position with the North West Ambulance Service. The court’s ruling underscores the serious consequences of his actions, which have not only led to his imprisonment but also to a lifetime of restrictions on his professional and personal life.