GREGORY WITHAM SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN BLACKPOOL AND WALTON

In September 2021, a disturbing case emerged involving Gregory Witham, a man whose heinous actions against a young girl from Walton, near Blackpool, have left a lasting scar on the victim and the community alike.

It was revealed that Witham, a former Navy serviceman aged 39, repeatedly subjected the girl to sexual abuse over a period of time, causing her significant psychological trauma. The abuse was so severe that it led her to self-harm, a fact that was brought to the attention of teachers at her school in Blackpool. The teachers noticed her distress and, upon speaking with her, learned that she had written the words “I want to die” on a school computer, a cry for help that underscored the depth of her suffering.

Despite the evidence and the clear signs of abuse, Witham denied any wrongdoing during the trial. He attempted to shift blame onto the victim, claiming she was sexually provocative and had tried to initiate sexual contact with him. This defense was met with strong disapproval from the court, as it demonstrated a blatant lack of remorse and an attempt to diminish the severity of his crimes.

The court proceedings detailed the extent of Witham’s misconduct. He was convicted on multiple counts, including two counts of attempted rape, which reflected his repeated efforts to assault the girl sexually. Additionally, he was found guilty of eight counts of sexual activity with a child, four of which involved repeatedly touching her genitalia under her clothing. He was also convicted of inciting her to engage in sexual activity, an attempt to coerce her into performing a sex act on him.

Prosecutor Gareth Roberts explained that the abuse came to light after the school incident. Teachers, concerned about the girl’s well-being, questioned her, and she initially denied writing the distressing message. However, she later disclosed that her unhappiness stemmed from the ongoing sexual abuse by Witham. The defendant’s attempts to portray her as sexually provocative were seen as a deliberate effort to tarnish her character, a point emphasized by the court.

The victim’s family, including her mother, attended the sentencing hearing. Her mother read a heartfelt victim statement, revealing that her daughter had tried to write her own account but became overwhelmed with emotion and broke down in tears. She expressed her deep concern, stating, “She said to me she thinks about what happened every single day.” The mother also expressed her belief that her daughter would benefit from counseling, though the girl was reluctant to pursue therapy, fearing it would bring back painful memories.

During the hearing, the court heard that Witham, now residing on Manor Road in Blackpool, had no prior convictions. However, his past conduct was overshadowed by the gravity of his recent crimes. Supporters of Witham, three individuals in the public gallery, watched as he sat with his arms folded, showing no visible remorse. The judge, Judge David Swinnerton, condemned Witham’s behavior, highlighting that he would become angry with his victim if she did not comply with his demands, once calling her “useless and worthless.”

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Swinnerton emphasized that Witham’s attempts to blame the victim demonstrated a “complete lack of remorse.” The court noted that although Witham admitted to some of the abuse in his pre-sentence report, he continued to deny the attempted rapes and sought to blame the girl for his actions. The judge described Witham as “an offender of particular concern,” especially given the vulnerability of his victim and the severe psychological harm she endured.

As part of his sentence, Witham was handed a 16-year prison term, with a minimum of eight years to be served before he could apply for parole. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register, adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and a restraining order that would remain in effect indefinitely. The court also imposed an extended one-year license period upon his release, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes.

Before being taken away, Witham loudly sighed, waved to his supporters, and casually said, “See you later,” displaying a lack of remorse and a disturbing attitude towards his sentencing. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Blackpool and Walton, highlighting the importance of vigilance and support for victims of sexual abuse.