MARK MCGARVEY FROM GERRARD AVENUE JAILED FOR SEX OFFENSES IN WARRINGTON

In September 2006, Mark McGarvey, a resident of Gerrard Avenue, was sentenced to 15 months in prison after admitting to sexually inappropriate behaviors involving young girls. He followed girls into stores, including Asda in Westbrook and Woolworths on Sankey Street, where he exposed himself and touched himself in their presence.

At Warrington Crown Court, Judge Elgan Edwards, the Recorder of Chester, condemned his actions, stating: “It is quite disgraceful. It is disgusting and you should feel thoroughly ashamed of yourself.”

The court was informed that McGarvey, a married man and father, targeted three different occasions. His initial incident involved two young girls browsing Barbie dolls in Woolworths; he stood behind them and engaged in self-touching.

Prosecutor Karl Sholt explained, “The defendant then started following them as they left the shop and was captured on CCTV footage.”

Later, in January, he was caught on CCTV near two girls selecting sweets in Asda Westbrook, exposing himself and touching his genitals. Shortly afterward, he visited the store’s lingerie section where he was observed caressing a pair of knickers before touching himself again.

Shop assistants witnessed each incident, raising the alarm.

McGarvey’s criminal history includes various convictions for theft and dishonesty. His previous convictions include a 1993 sentence of five years for robbery and possessing an offensive weapon, and a subsequent 1997 imprisonment for nine years following a robbery and two attempted robberies.

Defense lawyer Simon Berkson remarked, “His record shows him to be a serious criminal but not a serious sex offender. He has a great difficulty in admitting his guilt despite the CCTV evidence.”

As part of his punishment, McGarvey was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next 10 years and prohibited from having contact with children under 16.