GRAHAM CAIRNS SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS FOR SYSTEMATIC ABUSE IN SALFORD

In a case that has shocked the community of Salford and the surrounding areas, Graham Cairns, a 42-year-old landscape gardener, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of a series of heinous sexual offenses against three young boys. The crimes, which spanned from 1984 to 1991, involved repeated and systematic abuse that left a lasting impact on the victims.

Last month, Cairns was convicted by a jury on 17 counts out of 18 allegations, which detailed his involvement in raping and sexually abusing three boys over a period of several years. The case was brought before Oxford Crown Court, where Cairns appeared last Friday to face sentencing. The presiding judge, Mary-Jane Mowat, emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating that the jury had established Cairns had engaged in prolonged, repeated, and systematic sexual abuse of the victims.

Two of the boys, who were approximately eight years old when the abuse began, endured the trauma through their teenage years. One of the victims had special needs, which added to the gravity of Cairns’s betrayal of trust. Cairns was in his early twenties when he initiated the abuse, making him at least ten years older than the boys, which underscored the predatory nature of his actions.

Judge Mowat described Cairns as someone who manipulated his victims through a combination of kindness and deception. She noted that Cairns falsely portrayed himself as having a violent background to gain their trust and manipulate them. The judge also highlighted that two of the victims had been treated for depression, illustrating the profound psychological damage inflicted upon them. She remarked that Cairns had undoubtedly “spoiled two lives,” emphasizing the devastating impact of his actions.

During the trial, Cairns’s defense attorney, Tony McGeorge, attempted to paint a different picture of the defendant. McGeorge stated that those who knew Cairns described him as a gentle and kind individual, and that the revelations during the trial had come as a shock to many. He further conveyed that Cairns himself regarded his behavior as the biggest mistake of his life and expressed genuine remorse for his actions.

Ultimately, the court sentenced Cairns to 11 years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and was disqualified from working with children in any capacity. The case has left a lasting scar on the community of Salford, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and safeguarding vulnerable children from predators.