OLDHAM MAN PAUL GARFORTH SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT IN MANCHESTER

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Oldham community, Paul Garforth, a 54-year-old man and the landlord of the Weaver’s Arms pub located on Huddersfield Road, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses. The sentencing took place at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court, where Judge Peter Lakin delivered the verdict after Garforth was found guilty of multiple charges.

Garforth’s criminal actions came to light following a disturbing incident on November 22 of the previous year, when he sexually assaulted a 22-year-old woman. The victim, whose courage in coming forward has been widely commended, contacted the police immediately after the assault. An extensive investigation was launched by law enforcement officers, leading to Garforth’s arrest and subsequent trial.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that the victim had been subjected to Garforth’s predatory behavior over a period of several years. She disclosed that Garforth had sexually assaulted her multiple times between the ages of 15 and 17, indicating a pattern of abuse that spanned her adolescence. The escalation of his offending culminated in the rape of the woman when she was 22, a crime that ultimately led to his conviction.

Detective Constable Christine Nolan, who is part of the Oldham CID, expressed her thoughts on the case, stating, “Garforth first preyed on the victim when she was just a teenager, carrying out frequent sexual assaults. His offending got steadily more serious and he raped the same victim when she was 22. I want to pay tribute to the victim who has shown great bravery in first coming forward, then reliving the ordeal again in a lengthy rape trial. I hope this sentencing shows that we take all allegations of sexual offences extremely seriously and will pursue the offenders through the courts.”

As part of his sentence, Garforth will be required to register as a sex offender and is prohibited from working with children, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the potential risk he poses to the community. The case underscores the importance of victim bravery and the commitment of law enforcement to pursue justice in cases of sexual violence, especially those involving vulnerable individuals.