JOHN FERRIER PEMBERTON PREDATOR SENTENCED FOR LIFE AFTER ATTACK IN MANCHESTER ARNDALE

In a chilling case that has shocked the local community, John Ferrier, a 69-year-old resident of Pemberton, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the heinous assault of an 11-year-old boy in the toilets of the Manchester Arndale shopping centre. The incident occurred on Thursday, October 18, of the previous year, and Ferrier’s actions have left a lasting scar on the young victim and his family.

According to court proceedings, Ferrier approached the young boy within the busy shopping centre, initially attempting to engage him in conversation. When the boy refused to enter a cubicle, Ferrier forcibly dragged him inside and carried out the assault. Witnesses nearby, who overheard the distressing sounds of the attack, quickly responded by alerting security personnel. The security guards detained Ferrier for approximately 30 minutes until police officers arrived at the scene. During this time, Ferrier was held until authorities could take him into custody.

Despite the immediate detention, the terrified boy managed to escape from Ferrier’s grasp and fled the scene. Law enforcement officials, relying on a description of the boy’s school uniform, managed to locate him after visiting his school and speaking with him. It was during these conversations that the young victim disclosed the details of the assault, providing crucial information that led to Ferrier’s arrest.

This incident is particularly disturbing given Ferrier’s prior criminal history. The court revealed that Ferrier was on bail at the time of the attack, awaiting trial for a separate case involving the sexual abuse and rape of an 11-year-old girl. Ferrier had been convicted of that earlier offence and was serving a 16-year prison sentence. The fact that he committed the recent assault while on bail underscores the danger he posed to the community.

Ferrier’s residence in Ormskirk Road, Wigan, was noted during the proceedings, and the court emphasized that he would spend his remaining years behind bars. The judge sentenced him to serve a minimum of eight years before being eligible for parole, but the overall sentence effectively ensures he will spend the rest of his life incarcerated.

The young boy’s mother expressed her anguish and heartbreak, revealing that she had allowed her son to walk home from school alone that day because she was unwell. She shared her feelings of guilt, saying, “I felt guilty because I normally picked him up but hadn’t been able to because I had been ill. When the attack happened he was a lot quieter and we suspected something was wrong but had no idea about the attack until the police came. He has been doing a lot better and we are working through it as a family.”

Police investigations suggest that Ferrier may have targeted his victim in Piccadilly Gardens before pursuing him into the Manchester Arndale shopping centre. Detective Constable Simon France from Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Sexual Offences Unit praised the bravery of the young boy and his family, as well as the quick actions of the shopping centre staff. “I would like to commend the victim who, with the support of his family and specially trained officers, had the courage to come forward and tell police what happened to him. It was not easy for him to admit what had happened, but with his support, we have been able to bring Ferrier before the courts, and he will now spend a substantial period of time in prison. I would also like to thank members of the public and the staff at Manchester Arndale for their swift response, which was crucial in stopping a dangerous individual,” he stated.

In a separate but related case from May 2014, Ferrier was convicted of multiple sexual offences involving a young girl, including rape. The court described him as a dangerous offender, though due to his age, an indefinite sentence was not imposed. The girl, who was 11 at the time, was described as particularly vulnerable, and Ferrier’s grooming and abuse took place at his flat in Pemberton, above an Indian takeaway. His depraved conduct also included taking the girl to Manchester to purchase sex toys, including handcuffs, and pornographic magazines, as well as watching pornography with her. These offences came to light in April of the previous year, after the girl initially hesitated to disclose what had happened but eventually provided detailed accounts during police interviews, which were recorded on video.

Ferrier, who pleaded not guilty to rape and eight other charges, was convicted after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court. Judge Trevor-Jones emphasized that Ferrier’s denial of the offences forced the young girl to testify and be branded a liar. As part of his sentence, Ferrier was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subject to an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order, restricting his contact with individuals under 16. His defense attorney acknowledged that Ferrier has no previous convictions but accepted that a conviction was inevitable, citing health issues such as high blood pressure, arthritis, and heart disease. Ferrier continues to maintain his innocence despite the convictions, and the court’s decision underscores the severity of his crimes and the danger he poses to society.