JOHN QUIGLEY FROM BURNAGE AND WYTHENSHAWE SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In a highly emotional courtroom session, John Quigley, a man previously residing on Avon Road in Burnage and known for his management of the now-demolished Benchill pub in Wythenshawe, was sentenced to a substantial 14-year prison term after being convicted of multiple child sex offenses.

The Manchester Crown Court jury found Quigley guilty of nine separate charges related to the sexual abuse of two young girls, including serious allegations of rape. The verdict came after a retrial held in August, following a previous trial that was abruptly halted due to concerns over the presiding judge’s conduct. During that initial trial, Recorder Philip Cattan, a respected Manchester barrister who also serves as a part-time judge, was suspected of falling asleep while one of the victims was giving her testimony, raising questions about the fairness of the proceedings. This incident prompted an investigation by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office.

The sexual abuse remained a closely guarded secret until one of the victims confided in her mother on New Year’s Eve, revealing her intention to disclose the abuse only after the death of John Quigley. The second victim explained that her silence was due to fear, stating she had been 'too scared to tell.' These revelations played a crucial role in bringing the case to light and ultimately led to Quigley's conviction.

Throughout the trial, Quigley maintained his innocence, denying all allegations and claiming that the girls were lying. He stated to the court, “I never sexually abused them,” despite the overwhelming evidence against him. His history includes managing the Benchill pub in Wythenshawe before its closure, and he was known locally in Burnage as well.

As the verdicts were announced, there was a notable display of public support for the victims, with cheers and applause from the gallery. Judge Michael Henshell, who presided over the case, ordered a report to assess whether Quigley still posed a danger to children. He also remanded Quigley into custody and mandated that he sign the sex offenders’ register for life. In his sentencing remarks, Judge Henshell emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating, “The sentence will be a lengthy one of imprisonment.”

Meanwhile, the judicial community continues to scrutinize the conduct of Recorder Philip Cattan, who is currently under investigation by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office. A spokesperson for the office confirmed awareness of the allegations, which relate to the incident during the initial trial where Cattan was suspected of nodding off while a young victim was giving evidence, raising concerns about judicial impartiality and professionalism.