MATTHEW QUIRK'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN ST HELENS AND MERSEYSIDE REVEALED

In December 2019, a disturbing case emerged involving Matthew Quirk, a man with a long history of predatory behavior targeting children across Merseyside, including the town of St Helens. Quirk, aged 37 and residing on Winter Grove in St Helens, was convicted of heinous crimes that spanned over a decade, involving grooming, voyeurism, and sexual assault.

His criminal activities began during his employment with Wirral Borough Council, where he targeted a 12-year-old girl during the early 2000s. At that time, Quirk was 20 years old and working at a children’s play centre that the girl attended during her summer holidays. Prosecutor Philip Astbury detailed how Quirk gradually gained the girl’s trust by engaging in playful activities, holding her hand, and secretly touching her leg. Over time, he groomed her, convincing her they were a couple, and exchanged contact details, including his phone number.

The girl later discovered messages from Quirk, in which he claimed he was on holiday, getting drunk, and professed his love for her. She recalled attending an official meeting before Quirk, who was subsequently dismissed from his job, ceased all contact. Despite social services being informed, it remains unclear what actions, if any, were taken at that time. The girl’s distress escalated when she cycled to Quirk’s house, only to be turned away by his mother. However, Quirk later sent her a letter containing a passport photo and his new mobile number.

One afternoon, Quirk contacted the girl and arranged to meet her at a pub, where he had been drinking. He bought her four bottles of WKD, which she consumed, and they shared a kiss. He then suggested they go somewhere quiet, leading them into woodland where he molested and ultimately raped her. During the assault, Quirk revealed he had not used a condom, which added to her trauma. The girl described feeling uncomfortable lying on the ground amidst dirt and debris. After the incident, she never heard from Quirk again but struggled profoundly with what had happened.

Her ordeal persisted for years, during which she confided in her brother and partner. It was only after attending counseling sessions that she was encouraged to report the abuse to police. Quirk was questioned in January, denying the allegations and refusing to comment further. The victim, now an adult, expressed the lasting impact of his actions, stating, “What Matthew did has had an enormous impact on my life. It’s affected every relationship I’ve had since.” She described suffering from depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, and having attempted suicide three times as a teenager. The trauma also affected her ability to trust, her mental health, and her capacity to parent her own children, as she fears similar abuse could happen to them.

Judge Sophie McKone addressed Quirk directly, condemning his actions and emphasizing the moral breach involved in abusing a child in his care. She highlighted that Quirk’s grooming involved plying the girl with alcohol before raping her in a secluded area, which had a profound and lasting effect on her. The judge noted that Quirk’s behavior was not only morally reprehensible but also dangerous, leading to a sentence of nine years and four months in prison, with an extended two-year license period. This sentence ensures he will serve at least two-thirds of his term, approximately six years, before being eligible for parole, contingent on the parole board’s assessment of risk.

Additionally, Quirk is required to register as a sex offender and adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life. The court’s decision reflects the severity of his crimes and the devastating impact on his victim.

Earlier, in March 2014, Quirk received a 16-month prison sentence for breaching a court order by loitering near public toilets at Tesco in Langtree Park. This incident followed his previous conviction for secretly filming children, which resulted in a suspended jail sentence. Quirk was seen entering the toilets at Tesco by plainclothes police officers, despite the court-imposed Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that prohibited him from entering any public toilet. The order was issued after Quirk was observed acting suspiciously in The Range store in St Helens the previous August, and a woman reported that he had followed her child into the toilets on two separate occasions.

During the 2014 incident, Quirk admitted to police that he had entered the toilets, acknowledging it was a breach of his SOPO. He claimed he was suffering from an upset stomach and had returned from an appointment in Liverpool. However, officers noted he had spent several hours in St Helens prior to the incident, including time at his home and in Matalan, where he was seen looking at children’s clothing. Quirk, who has a total of six convictions for 27 offences—including nine of a sexual nature—was remanded in custody and is awaiting sentencing scheduled for March. His repeated pattern of offending underscores the ongoing threat he poses to the community.

These cases highlight the disturbing pattern of Matthew Quirk’s criminal behavior, from voyeurism and grooming to violent sexual assault, all committed within the Merseyside area, particularly in St Helens. His actions have caused irreparable harm to his victims, and the justice system has responded with significant sentences aimed at protecting the public and preventing further offenses.