LIAM MCKIERNAN FROM GRIMSBY ON THE RUN AFTER SEXUAL ABUSE OF 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In July 2018, authorities issued a nationwide alert seeking assistance in locating Liam McKiernan, a man wanted in connection with serious allegations involving a minor.McKiernan, aged 30 and also known by the surname Brown, is currently at large after failing to appear in court to face sentencing for three counts of sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl.
The case has garnered significant concern from the local community and law enforcement alike.
McKiernan was initially bailed to an address on Brereton Avenue in Grimsby, following his admission to the charges at Grimsby Crown Court.
The charges stem from incidents that allegedly occurred three years prior, involving a teenage girl who was just 14 at the time.
Despite being granted bail, McKiernan did not attend the scheduled court hearing on Monday, prompting Judge Graham Reeds QC to issue a warrant for his arrest.
The warrant was not supported for bail, and since then, McKiernan has been actively evading law enforcement.
Disturbingly, the mother of the victim has reported sightings of McKiernan in her neighborhood, near her residence where she lives with her daughter.
She expressed her frustration and fear, revealing that she had encountered him in the street close to her home.
She also accused him of breaching bail conditions by visiting her street, staying out late at night, and following her to her doorstep.
Her distress is compounded by the fact that the arrest warrant has yet to be executed successfully, leaving her and her family feeling vulnerable and unsafe.
The mother voiced her concerns about McKiernan’s brazen behavior, stating, “I could not believe he was bailed in the first place.
He has not been living at the bail address and has been going out all over the place.
He needs catching.” She further explained that her family has been living in fear, with police advising them to keep their doors and windows locked or consider relocating to another relative’s home.
She emphasized that they have suffered enough and that her primary concern is her daughter’s safety.
“When I contacted police to find out if he had been arrested and told them he was continuing to terrify us, they just said we should keep our doors and windows locked or moved in with another relative.
But I have not slept.
Every noise I hear puts me in panic.
They suggest we move out but we have done no wrong.
We have suffered enough as a family.” She also suspects that McKiernan is still in the vicinity, possibly using taxis to move around, and believes that someone, perhaps a taxi driver, is hiding him.
Her suspicion is based on her observation of his apparent ease in walking about the neighborhood as if nothing has happened.
She expressed her conviction that he is brazenly walking in the community, despite the serious allegations against him.
The mother revealed that her daughter is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and regularly seeks mental health support.
She warned that if anything were to happen to her daughter, she would hold law enforcement responsible.
“It has destroyed our lives.
I want justice so that he doesn’t do this to anybody else.” The teenage victim, who is legally protected from identification, shared her feelings with GrimsbyLive.
She expressed her disappointment that the court proceedings had not resulted in a conviction yet.
“Not until that has happened can I move on with my life.
I just want to lead a normal happy life.
I am hoping to go to college in September.
I still suffer flashbacks and nightmares and can’t sleep.
All I want to do is get my head down and train to be a solicitor.
I like doing art but my life has been in a rut for three years.” The girl’s mother recounted that McKiernan had been in contact with her daughter through messages, urging her to send nude photographs and suggesting he would take her away from her home to live elsewhere.
These manipulative actions led to the sexual activity when she was only 14 years old.
During the court proceedings, McKiernan’s defense lawyer stated that he had not attended the court hearing and, therefore, could not oppose the warrant for his arrest.
Prior to these events, McKiernan had a criminal record, including an 18-month sentence handed down in March 2016 for fraud.
The fraud involved attempting to claim back a tax refund totaling £51,623, which included claims related to roofing work.
Despite his previous conviction, he admitted to the charges of sexual activity with a child and was scheduled for sentencing at Grimsby Crown Court, but he failed to appear, leaving the case unresolved and him at large.
