JOHN AHERN AND PETER WARD SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN FELTHAM AND MANCHESTER

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Feltham and Manchester, two men have been convicted and sentenced for their involvement in the sexual abuse of young boys during the 1980s. The court proceedings, which took place at Manchester Crown Court in Crown Square, revealed disturbing details about the abuse carried out by the offenders, John Murray Ahern and Peter David Ward.

John Ahern, aged 55 and residing on Elmwood Avenue in Feltham, Middlesex, was found guilty of a total of ten charges, including nine counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted buggery. The court sentenced him to seven years in prison for his crimes. Ahern’s offenses spanned several years, with the abuse occurring when his victim was between 10 and 14 years old. The victim, now 32, recounted how Ahern had sexually assaulted him during this period and later introduced him to Ward, who was living in Collyhurst at the time. Both men then sexually assaulted the boy between 1987 and 1988.

The case took a further turn when another man, aged 37, independently came forward to Greater Manchester Police. This individual claimed to have also been a victim of Ahern, who at the time was working as a youth leader at a community centre in Tameside. The victim, who was part of a social networking website and had been reconnecting with old friends from the youth group, noticed that Ahern had sent him an email in 2005 asking how he was. This email triggered memories of the abuse he endured between 1981 and 1982, prompting him to contact the police and report the crimes.

Peter Ward, aged 59, who was described as having no fixed address at the time of sentencing, was convicted of four counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted buggery. Ward was sentenced to five years in prison. His offenses, like Ahern’s, date back to the 1980s and are now prosecuted under legislation that has since been replaced by newer laws.

Both offenders were charged with attempted buggery under outdated legislation, as their crimes occurred before the current laws were enacted. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of their actions and the lasting impact on their victims.

Commenting on the case, Detective Constable Mark Watson emphasized the danger these men posed to young boys and highlighted the psychological harm inflicted upon the victims. He stated, “These men were a danger to young boys and have caused a great deal of psychological damage to their victims.” The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the ongoing efforts to bring justice to victims of historical abuse.