JOHN GRENAN SENTENCED IN LEIGH FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES AT BOLTON CROWN COURT

In October 2002, a disturbing case of child sexual abuse culminated in the sentencing of John Grennan, a 40-year-old man from Leigh, who was found guilty of a series of heinous offenses involving a young boy. The court heard that Grennan had engaged in a prolonged pattern of sexual misconduct spanning over six years, beginning when the victim was just five or six years old and continuing until he was 11. The abuse only came to light after the boy confided in his mother, prompting an investigation that revealed the extent of Grennan's predatory behavior.

Judge William Morris at Bolton Crown Court described Grennan as a “real risk to children,” emphasizing the severity of his actions and the danger he posed to the community. The court was informed that Grennan had not only sexually abused the primary victim but also admitted to indecency with seven other boys whom he had befriended through the original victim. The abuse was relentless, with Grennan reportedly engaging in near-daily acts of indecent touching, including fondling the boy while he was asleep, demonstrating a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.

During police interviews, Grennan confessed to the allegations, stating that the frequency of the abuse was so high that he could not recall the exact number of incidents. His admission included five specific charges of indecent assault on the primary victim, with additional allegations involving seven other boys taken into consideration during sentencing.

Grennan’s criminal history was also a matter of concern. The court was told that he had previous convictions for similar offenses. In November 1988, he was convicted of indecent assault on a male over 16, and in 1994, he received a two-year prison sentence for six counts of indecent assault on males under 14.

In his defense, lawyer Michael Wolff acknowledged Grennan’s awareness of the long prison sentence he faced and expressed remorse, offering an apology to the victims. Wolff remarked that the probation report was notably grim, indicating a lack of understanding on Grennan’s part regarding the impact of his actions.

Judge Morris sentenced Grennan to six years in prison, with an additional two years under extended sentence provisions, which allow for the possibility of recall to prison up to ten years after release. The judge also extended Grennan’s license period, reflecting the seriousness of his offenses and the ongoing risk he poses. Throughout the sentencing, Grennan showed no emotion as the judge condemned his breach of trust, especially considering the abuse occurred while he was in a position of care and responsibility for the young victim. The court highlighted the profound psychological damage inflicted on the victims and the importance of protecting children from such predators in the future.