JOHN MENARY FROM HUCKNALL JAILED FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES AT PUB IN NOTTINGHAM

In September 2006, a disturbing case of child sexual assault emerged involving John Menary, a 62-year-old man from Hucknall, who was convicted of indecently assaulting a seven-year-old girl during a family gathering at a local pub. The incident took place at The Three Ponds in Nuthall, where the girl’s parents witnessed Menary engaging in inappropriate behavior towards their daughter.

According to court reports, the girl was participating in a puzzle activity with Menary, who had been invited to join the family celebration marking her sister’s birthday. During the course of the evening, the girl’s mother observed Menary laying against the table and noticed him stroking her upper thigh. Further, she saw him moving his hand to touch her bottom. The mother immediately alerted her husband, who confirmed that Menary’s hand was rubbing her upper thigh and was going up her skirt. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the parents called the girl away from Menary and chose not to confront him directly at that moment, due to the presence of other people in the pub.

Subsequently, the couple reported the incident to the pub’s landlord, who responded by banning Menary from the premises. The parents, concerned about Menary’s behavior, also observed him visiting other pubs in the area. They later reported their suspicions and the assault to the police, motivated by a desire to prevent further harm to other children. Prosecutor Julie Warburton told Nottingham Crown Court that the parents felt compelled to act because they believed that failing to report would allow Menary to continue his predatory behavior.

It was revealed that Menary had a troubling history of sexual offenses. In 1999, he had been convicted of assaulting two girls aged nine and eleven at a pub Christmas party. The incident had been interrupted by a barmaid, who called him a pervert and ordered him to leave the premises. Additionally, in 1998, Menary, residing on Polperro Way in Hucknall, was convicted of possessing 850 indecent images of children and was sentenced to 100 hours of community service.

During the court proceedings, Menary’s defense lawyer, Sarah Munro, described him as a vulnerable and socially isolated individual who sought companionship in public houses. She emphasized that he had never attempted to lure children outside or into his home and argued that he had been ostracized by society for his past offenses. Munro also highlighted that Menary had suffered significant personal abuse and property damage as a consequence of his criminal record, and expressed that he was terrified of imprisonment.

Despite these arguments, Menary pleaded guilty to charges of indecent assault on a child under 14. Judge Tony Mitchell sentenced him to 32 months in prison, citing the recent nature of the offense, which occurred shortly after he completed a sexual offenders’ treatment program. The judge expressed concern about Menary’s risk of reoffending, stating, “This offence was only shortly after you completed the sexual offenders’ treatment programme. In my own assessment of you, you are a very real and significant risk and will commit further offences.”

Following his release, Menary was ordered to adhere to strict conditions that prohibit him from having any contact with children. These restrictions were imposed without a specified time limit, reflecting ongoing concerns about his potential threat to the community.