GARY BALL FROM FLEETWOOD SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN FLEETWOOD

In a recent development at Preston Crown Court, Gary Ball, a 48-year-old former pub landlord from Fleetwood, has been sentenced to serve 18 months in prison after being convicted of multiple sexual assault charges. The court's decision came after a detailed trial where the jury found him guilty of all six counts related to sexual misconduct against three women, despite his persistent denial of the allegations.

Gary Ball, who was unemployed at the time, had previously served time behind bars and was the licensee of the Strawberry Gardens’ Pub in Fleetwood. During the proceedings, the prosecution, led by Richard Haworth, presented evidence that detailed how Ball had engaged in inappropriate and sexualized behavior towards the victims. The court heard that on one occasion, Ball had pinched a woman in her 30s and then proceeded to question her about her sex life in an explicit manner. The situation escalated as he suggested they should have sex, further crossing boundaries of acceptable conduct.

In addition to this incident, the court was informed that Ball had also indecently touched a 16-year-old girl on the same day. When questioned by police, Ball dismissed the allegations, claiming that the women were lying about him. He argued that the women had conspired against him, stating that they had “got their heads together” to fabricate stories. Despite his denials, the evidence and testimonies led to his conviction.

The third charge involved an incident from June of the previous year. Ball maintained during police interviews that he had behaved appropriately and accused the women of lying. He insisted that their accounts were false, asserting, “None of that happened, that’s for sure.” When further allegations emerged concerning a third woman, Ball again dismissed her claims as “a pack of lies.” The prosecution highlighted that Ball could not have genuinely believed the women’s consent was valid, emphasizing his pattern of behavior.

Throughout the trial, prosecutor Haworth emphasized the discrepancy between the victims’ accounts and Ball’s denials. He stated, “The defendant simply couldn’t leave sexual offending alone,” and described his behavior as a pattern of repeated misconduct. Haworth also pointed out that Ball’s claims of innocence were inconsistent with the evidence presented, describing his assertions as “lightening has struck three times,” implying that Ball believed he was somehow immune to consequences.

During his testimony, Ball maintained his innocence, denying the allegations when questioned by his barrister, Gerard Doran. He responded with a simple “no” when asked if the incidents from December 2009 had occurred. However, the jury was not convinced by his defense and found him guilty of all six charges.

As part of his sentence, Gary Ball will be registered as a sex offender for the next ten years, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the court’s stance on such misconduct. The case underscores the importance of accountability and the ongoing efforts to address sexual offenses within the community of Fleetwood and beyond.