STEPHEN GARRITY PLEADS GUILTY IN BURY TO SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL
| Red Rose Database
Radcliffe Ramsbottom Sexual Abuser
In January 2001, a school caretaker named Stephen Garrity from Bright Street, Radcliffe, was involved in a disturbing case of sexual misconduct. Garrity, 30 years old, admitted to engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 and was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Bolton Crown Court. The allegations outlined that Garrity took the girl and her friend to McDonald's, supplied them with alcohol, and later lured the 13-year-old into his bed after they watched a pornographic video featuring lesbian content.
The girl’s mother was visibly upset, leaving the court in tears as details of her daughter’s abuse were revealed. Garrity was dismissed from his position as a caretaker at a local school once he confessed to the police that he had a sexual relationship with the girl. He was arrested after the girl confided in her mother and was taken to hospital due to severe stomach pains. A pregnancy test was conducted and returned negative.
Judge Reginald Lockett sentenced Garrity, who was described as previously of good character, to a year behind bars. He also ordered Garrity to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years. Prosecutor Jeremy Grout-Smith explained that Garrity had become acquainted with the girl and her friends while living at a house in Ramsbottom. The girls often visited Garrity, who frequently took them for drives and sometimes to McDonald's.
On November 14 of the previous year, they had gone to a fair in Bury and then to McDonald's. After returning to Garrity’s house, they watched a pornographic video, and later, all three went upstairs to his bedroom. The girl told police she had been flirting with Garrity, which led to them ending up in bed while her friend sat at the foot of the bed observing. Although she later visited Garrity again, she stated that no sexual activity took place then.
Garrity was finally arrested after the girl disclosed the incident to her mother. Her mother described her daughter as being quiet and withdrawn since the event. Both the teenager and her friend participated in video interviews confirming the details of what happened. Police found a sex instruction card bearing Garrity’s face and the pornographic video during a search of his house.
Garrity’s defense lawyer, Andrew Marrs, stated that Garrity was truthful with police during his arrest but believed the girl was 15 and had assumed she was sexually experienced. Marrs claimed Garrity did not supply alcohol to the girls and explained that the pornographic material was found under his bed and was watched without his permission. However, he acknowledged that Garrity didn’t stop them from watching the video and was aware that engaging in sex with a girl under 16 was wrong.
Judge Lockett emphasized the severity of the crime, noting that Garrity’s age and the girl’s vulnerability warranted a custodial sentence. He highlighted his responsibility to protect the public and the girl’s parents from further harm.
The girl’s mother was visibly upset, leaving the court in tears as details of her daughter’s abuse were revealed. Garrity was dismissed from his position as a caretaker at a local school once he confessed to the police that he had a sexual relationship with the girl. He was arrested after the girl confided in her mother and was taken to hospital due to severe stomach pains. A pregnancy test was conducted and returned negative.
Judge Reginald Lockett sentenced Garrity, who was described as previously of good character, to a year behind bars. He also ordered Garrity to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years. Prosecutor Jeremy Grout-Smith explained that Garrity had become acquainted with the girl and her friends while living at a house in Ramsbottom. The girls often visited Garrity, who frequently took them for drives and sometimes to McDonald's.
On November 14 of the previous year, they had gone to a fair in Bury and then to McDonald's. After returning to Garrity’s house, they watched a pornographic video, and later, all three went upstairs to his bedroom. The girl told police she had been flirting with Garrity, which led to them ending up in bed while her friend sat at the foot of the bed observing. Although she later visited Garrity again, she stated that no sexual activity took place then.
Garrity was finally arrested after the girl disclosed the incident to her mother. Her mother described her daughter as being quiet and withdrawn since the event. Both the teenager and her friend participated in video interviews confirming the details of what happened. Police found a sex instruction card bearing Garrity’s face and the pornographic video during a search of his house.
Garrity’s defense lawyer, Andrew Marrs, stated that Garrity was truthful with police during his arrest but believed the girl was 15 and had assumed she was sexually experienced. Marrs claimed Garrity did not supply alcohol to the girls and explained that the pornographic material was found under his bed and was watched without his permission. However, he acknowledged that Garrity didn’t stop them from watching the video and was aware that engaging in sex with a girl under 16 was wrong.
Judge Lockett emphasized the severity of the crime, noting that Garrity’s age and the girl’s vulnerability warranted a custodial sentence. He highlighted his responsibility to protect the public and the girl’s parents from further harm.