KEVIN GIBBONS FROM STANDISH SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL OFFENCES AND CHILD CRUELTY IN WIGAN

In a case that has shocked the community of Standish and the wider Wigan area, Kevin Gibbons has been handed a severe prison sentence of 25 years following his conviction on multiple serious charges related to sexual offences and child cruelty. The sentencing took place at Liverpool Crown Court, where the court heard harrowing details of Gibbons' actions and the profound impact they had on his victims.

Judge David Aubrey described Gibbons as a manipulative, controlling, obsessive, and domineering individual. Despite Gibbons's claims that he lived according to the teachings of the word of God and sought to practice love, understanding, tolerance, and forgiveness, the judge dismissed these assertions as a complete and utter charade. The court was told that Gibbons's conduct was far from the moral principles he professed to uphold.

The court proceedings revealed that Gibbons had committed multiple heinous acts, including raping two women from Wigan and subjecting them to imprisonment and emotional torment. The judge emphasized that these acts had effectively destroyed the victims' free will and their ability to make choices. One of the victims described her experience as feeling as though Gibbons had “sucked the life out of me,” and the court acknowledged her ongoing fragility as a result of her ordeal.

The second victim, who was raped by Gibbons while pregnant and shortly after giving birth, endured even more severe trauma. She was forced to breastfeed Gibbons, and her mental health deteriorated to the point of a breakdown, with suicidal thoughts emerging as a consequence of her suffering. Gibbons's abuse extended to threatening her with exposure after forcing her into sex and filming the act, which added a layer of intimidation and control over her.

Remarkably, the full extent of Gibbons's terrorizing behavior, including stalking, only came to light when, by a twist of fate, both women ended up living on the same street. This coincidence led to police uncovering the extent of their ordeals. Prosecutor Henry Riding detailed how Gibbons had bombarded his first victim with numerous letters and notes, and when she attempted to block his communication by stopping her letterbox, he resorted to leaving messages on her car. Gibbons also engaged in persistent surveillance, regularly driving past her home and workplace, further demonstrating his obsessive and threatening behavior.

Gibbons, who resides on Rivington Avenue in Standish, was found guilty after a three-week trial of 11 separate offences. The jury, consisting of seven members, returned a verdict of guilt on multiple counts, including three counts of rape, two counts of false imprisonment, three counts of indecent assault, a stalking charge, and two counts of child cruelty. The court heard disturbing details of the child cruelty offences, which involved Gibbons holding a baby by the ankles, swinging the infant around, and threatening to drop it on its head. He also swung the child in its car seat and threatened to let go.

The judge emphasized that Gibbons remains a significant risk to the safety of women and children, citing the potential for serious sexual and psychological harm. As part of his sentence, Gibbons was sentenced to 19 years in prison, with an additional six years on extended licence. He will be required to serve at least two-thirds of the 19-year term before being eligible for parole, but the decision to release him will ultimately rest with the Parole Board, which will assess whether he still poses a danger to the public.

Gibbons's criminal conduct, especially his stalking and threats, underscores the ongoing threat he poses, and the court's decision reflects the seriousness with which such offences are regarded in the justice system. The case has left a lasting scar on the victims and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable individuals from predatory behavior.