HAROLD POLLARD, THE WIGAN PEDOPHILE, SENTENCED IN BOLTON COURT
In a case that has spanned decades and shocked the community of Wigan, Harold Pollard, a man now aged 74, has finally been brought to justice for his long-standing criminal conduct.The crimes, which involved the abuse of a young girl from the age of eight until she was 17, occurred during the 1970s and 1980s, a period during which Pollard managed to evade conviction despite the severity of his actions.
Pollard, a grandfather and father of five residing on Borsdane Avenue in Hindley, Wigan, displayed a disturbing attitude during the proceedings.
He brazenly admitted to relatives of his victim that his reasons for committing these heinous acts were rooted in personal circumstances, specifically claiming that he had no wife at the time because she had left him and later passed away.
This justification, which many considered groundless and disgusting, did little to sway the jury at Bolton Crown Court.
The jury found Pollard guilty of attempted rape and seven counts of sexual assault, a verdict that marked a significant moment of justice after years of silence and suffering for the victim.
It was revealed during the trial that Pollard had previously confessed to six other sexual assaults, although he was acquitted of one additional charge.
At the sentencing hearing held at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court, the court imposed a substantial penalty on Pollard.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with an additional year to be served on extended licence, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the need for ongoing supervision.
Furthermore, Pollard was subjected to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, which aims to restrict his activities and protect the public from potential reoffending.
He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for the remainder of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and accountability for his actions.
This case underscores the importance of persistent legal efforts to bring offenders to justice, especially those who have managed to conceal their crimes for many years in the community of Wigan.
