GARY GILLENEY'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN MANCHESTER AND ROCHDALE: DECADES OF ABUSE REVEALED

Nearly three decades after his initial conviction, Gary Gilleney, a man with a disturbing history of child abuse, has finally been sentenced to prison for his heinous crimes. The case, which spans multiple locations including Manchester and Rochdale, highlights a long and troubling pattern of predatory behavior that went unpunished for years.

Gilleney, who resides on Holborn Street in Brimrod, Rochdale, first came to the authorities' attention in 1985 when he was accused of abusing a young girl in London. At that time, the legal framework for sentencing such offenses was rooted in laws dating back to the 1950s. As a result, he was only fined £100 for charges of indecent assault and gross indecency. This relatively lenient punishment reflected the judicial attitudes of the era, which often resulted in minimal consequences for such grave offenses.

His military service was also impacted by his criminal record, as he was dishonorably discharged from the Army following his conviction. Despite this early punishment, Gilleney's predatory tendencies did not cease. During the 1990s, while living in Manchester council estates, he went on to abuse two additional children, both of whom were described as highly vulnerable. These subsequent offenses remained hidden until recent revelations surfaced.

It was only last year that the full extent of Gilleney’s crimes was uncovered, leading to his arrest. Manchester Crown Court heard evidence of six separate sex assaults committed by him against the two victims from the 1990s, who are now adults and cannot be identified publicly for legal reasons. The court was told that one of these victims was just seven years old when she was subjected to abuse by Gilleney. Her statement to the court was harrowing; she described her experience as having robbed her of a proper childhood. She recounted how Gilleney threatened her, warning that if she ever reported the abuse and he was sent to prison, he would come after her once he was released. Her words revealed the deep psychological scars left by his actions, including fears that kept her awake at night, low self-esteem, and ongoing struggles with relationships and flashbacks.

The second victim, who came forward last year, was only 13 when Gilleney gave her cannabis and then molested her. She expressed feelings of distrust towards others and disclosed that she had been battling depression for many years. Both women shared that they often cried themselves to sleep, haunted by the memories of what Gilleney had done to them as children.

During the trial, Gilleney’s defense team argued that he was a man damaged by his own troubled childhood. His lawyer described him as “genuinely confused and remorseful” about his actions, though not overtly emotional. The defense suggested that Gilleney’s behavior was driven by urges he neither understood nor could control, implying a complex psychological background rather than outright evil intent. The lawyer acknowledged that while some might see him as simply a wicked man, the reality was more nuanced.

Judge Martin Rudland, presiding over the case, sentenced Gilleney to six years in prison. In his remarks, the judge condemned Gilleney for having “corrupted your victims’ formative years,” emphasizing the profound and lasting damage caused by his crimes. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting society’s most vulnerable, and it underscores the tragic consequences of delayed intervention in cases of child abuse.