KEITH CAHILL'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN WHISTON AND LIVERPOOL: SEX OFFENDER'S REIGN OF TERROR

In September 2019, a series of disturbing incidents unfolded involving Keith Cahill, a man with a troubling history of sexual misconduct, who was residing in Whiston at the time. Cahill, who uses a wheelchair and has a documented history of severe mental health difficulties, was released from prison and placed into a Travelodge accommodation following a court order. His release and subsequent actions drew widespread concern and condemnation from local authorities and the community alike.

Initially, Cahill’s release was the result of a court decision that deemed him unfit for hospital detention due to his mental health condition, which was considered untreatable by medical professionals. The Liverpool Crown Court had ordered a supervision arrangement, placing him under the care of Knowsley Council. The council, in turn, arranged for Cahill to stay in a hotel, a decision that was heavily criticized by a second judge who described the move as “clearly a mistake.” The council maintained that this was a temporary measure, citing concerns about the security and suitability of the proposed accommodation in Liverpool, which they argued offered no additional safeguards to protect the public.

Throughout 2017 and into 2018, Cahill was linked to multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct involving women and a young girl. His criminal activities began with an incident at Liverpool One Bus Station on December 12, 2017, where he approached a shop assistant around 10 a.m. Cahill asked a male staff member to help him find a young lady, then engaged in inappropriate behavior by touching her below the ribs and making baby voice comments like “Tickle tickle.” Despite police attempts to search him, Cahill refused and spat in an officer’s face.

On New Year’s Day in 2018, Cahill approached a woman on Manchester Road in Prescot, asking for a hug and her name. Feeling sympathetic, she complied, but Cahill’s behavior quickly turned invasive as he refused to let go, kissed her cheek, and then inappropriately touched her thigh. The woman managed to escape and reported the incident to police, who later apprehended Cahill nearby. Cahill admitted to the police that he had touched the woman and expressed remorse, calling his actions “silly.”

Further incidents occurred on January 14 and 16, 2018. Cahill approached a woman outside Domino’s Pizza in Huyton, where he engaged in bizarre and disturbing behavior, including licking her hand after kissing it and refusing to release her. Later, he targeted an 11-year-old girl on her way to her grandmother’s house, hugging her and attempting to kiss her, while also trying to pull down her coat’s zipper. The girl’s grandmother and mother intervened, and Cahill was detained by police. Cahill’s behavior was so concerning that he was remanded into custody at Walton prison, where he continued to exhibit inappropriate conduct, including touching a female worker.

Medical assessments determined Cahill was unfit to stand trial initially, but subsequent evaluations confirmed his actions. The court faced difficult decisions regarding his treatment and supervision. In February 2018, Cahill was subjected to a two-year supervision order, requiring him to register as a sex offender and adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years. Despite these measures, Cahill’s dangerous behavior persisted.

On February 25, 2018, just days after his release into the care of Knowsley Council, Cahill committed yet another assault. While in Stockbridge Village, he approached a young woman on her lunch break, maneuvering his wheelchair to pin her to a bench. He inquired about her clothing, expressed his fetish for leather, and engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct, including masturbating in front of her. The victim managed to escape and reported the incident, leading to Cahill’s arrest the following day. Cahill openly acknowledged his fetish for leather and his arousal from touching it, even discussing a prison show about lesbian relationships that he found sexually stimulating.

In August of the same year, a second court hearing found Cahill guilty of sexual assault and outraging public decency. Medical experts testified that he could be treated, and a seven-year hospital order was imposed. The judge criticized the initial placement of Cahill in the Travelodge, emphasizing that it was unsuitable and contributed to the distress caused to his victims. The court’s findings underscored the ongoing danger Cahill posed to the community, highlighting his mental health issues and the need for appropriate treatment and supervision to prevent further harm.