SIMON GERRARD AND SHOCKING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN LANCASHIRE
NOW DECEASED —————————————————————————————————— A man named Simon Gerrard has been convicted of a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of children in Lancashire, with specific incidents reported at Sefton Park and a Butlin's holiday resort.Gerrard, now aged 53, was found guilty of multiple serious offences, including rape, attempted rape, and indecent assault, committed over a span of several years during the 1990s and 2000s.
The court proceedings revealed that Gerrard, who resides on Cherry Tree Lane in Aughton, subjected at least one young boy to a prolonged campaign of sexual violence.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by David Polglase, detailed how Gerrard instructed the boy to perform sexual acts on him and also engaged in sexual acts himself.
One of these disturbing incidents took place in Sefton Park, a well-known public space in the area.
A victim impact statement was read aloud in court, illustrating the lasting trauma inflicted by Gerrard’s actions.
The victim described ongoing flashbacks and nightmares, emphasizing how these crimes have shattered his sense of security and safety.
He expressed that he continues to live in fear and anxiety, burdened by the memories and consequences of Gerrard’s abuse for most of his life.
The victim also recounted Gerrard’s attempt to silence him by warning him not to tell anyone, threatening both of them with trouble if he did.
In addition to the abuse of the first victim, Gerrard was also implicated in sexually assaulting a second child at a Butlin’s holiday park.
A statement on her behalf was read to the court, where she expressed her feelings of betrayal and injustice, stating, “I should have been able to be a kid and not have a grown man do what he did to me.
I didn’t deserve anything that has happened to me.” Gerrard’s criminal history includes a prior incident in 2018, when he was caught in a paedophile hunter sting.
During that operation, he messaged a decoy account posing as a 12-year-old girl, asking if she wanted to have sex.
He had arranged to meet her at Ormskirk Bus Station but was confronted by the group and subsequently arrested.
This previous conviction resulted in a community order.
The court also heard that Gerrard has a congenital brain injury, which has caused lifelong learning and communication difficulties, as well as significantly limited intellectual functioning.
His defense lawyer, Fiona McNeill, noted that her client has developed health issues since being remanded into custody.
Following a jury trial, Gerrard was convicted of 21 child sexual offences, including rape, attempted rape, and indecent assault.
He appeared via video link from HMP Liverpool to receive his sentence, which was a 14-year prison term accompanied by an extended five-year licence period.
Judge Stuart Driver KC addressed the court, stating, “This was repeated, serious abuse over a period of about four years, which has had a profound effect on your victim’s life.
You always knew that what you were doing was wrong, and you were careful to do it when no witnesses would be around.” The judge emphasized the gravity of Gerrard’s actions and his ongoing risk to children, describing him as a “dangerous offender” due to his limited insight, tendency to deny or minimize his behavior, and the persistent sexual conduct towards children.
In addition to his prison sentence, Gerrard was subjected to lifelong restraining orders that prohibit him from contacting his victims.
He was also ordered to remain on the sex offenders’ register for the rest of his life and to comply with a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, reflecting the court’s assessment of the ongoing danger he poses to the community.
