HUYTON MAN GERARD GIBBONS SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD RAPE IN LIVERPOOL

In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the community of Huyton and the wider Liverpool area, Gerard Gibbons, aged 59, was convicted of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of a young girl. The proceedings took place at Liverpool Crown Court, where the severity of his actions was laid bare, revealing a disturbing pattern of abuse that spanned over a period of time.

Gibbons, who resides on Woolfall Crescent in Huyton, was found guilty of a series of grave offences, including multiple counts of rape and attempted rape against a vulnerable child. The case came to light after the young victim confided in a family member about the abuse she endured at the hands of Gibbons. Her detailed account described how he had repeatedly assaulted her, threatening her to silence her and inflicting physical harm during the assaults. The girl recounted that Gibbons had raped her and even attempted to do so again, actions she described as “disgusting.”

Following her disclosures, police investigations were swiftly initiated. Medical examinations confirmed that the girl had sustained physical injuries consistent with her account of abuse. DNA evidence collected from her clothing matched Gibbons, providing concrete proof of his involvement. During police interviews, Gibbons, who had no previous convictions, initially denied all allegations but later admitted to two counts of rape, two counts of attempted rape, and possession of an indecent photograph of a child. He also confessed to a series of violent assaults, including strangulation, smashing an iPad on her head, throwing her across a room leaving scars, and dragging her by the hair.

The court heard that the girl was left feeling “sad and disgusted,” and her family expressed their profound inability to comprehend the evil acts committed against her. They described Gibbons as having preyed on her innocence and vulnerability to fulfill his depraved sexual fantasies. Their victim impact statement was particularly poignant, ending with the words “may you rot in hell,” a sentiment echoed by the judge and the family’s grief.

Judge Steven Everett delivered a harsh sentence, condemning Gibbons for his “depraved sexual proclivities” and the “most serious sexual abuse that one could possibly see.” The judge emphasized that Gibbons showed no remorse, instead attempting to shift blame onto the victim. He described Gibbons as a “disgusting, despicable man” and highlighted the profound and lasting damage inflicted upon the young girl. The judge detailed the physical and psychological scars that Gibbons’s actions would likely leave her with for life, describing the abuse as a “campaign of rape and sexual abuse.”

Furthermore, the court revealed that Gibbons was found in possession of an indecent image of the child, stored on a memory card hidden inside a locket kept in a cupboard. Despite his claims of innocence during police interviews, his guilty plea to all charges resulted in a significant sentence. Gibbons was sentenced to 18 and a half years in prison, with an additional year on license, and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life. The sentence ensures that he will serve at least half of his term before being eligible for parole, contingent upon his risk to the public being reassessed.

Judge Everett’s remarks underscored the gravity of the crimes, stating that they were “despicable, disgusting, depraved,” and that the impact on the victim would likely be lifelong. The case has left the community of Huyton and Liverpool grappling with the horror of such a betrayal of trust and innocence, and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from predators.