Locations
Waithlands Road, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, OL16
Description
Yesterday, Friday 1 September 2023, Christopher McGourlay (02/07/1960), of Waithlands Road, Rochdale, was jailed for child sexual abuse of a young girl and boy, after being found guilty of 10 counts of indecent assault on a female under the age of 14, attempted rape of a girl under the age of 16 and the indecent assault of a male under the age of 14 years - in completely unrelated circumstances - by a jury at trial, on 19 July 2023.
The court heard how these abhorrent crimes, which took place in the early 1990s, had a huge impact on both victims and survivors.
DC Elisabeth Stacey of the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Team based at Rochdale Police Station said: "McGourlay has now begun a 15-year jail sentence for these despicable crimes against these victims and survivors, when they were both young children who had no idea what was happening to them.
"I want to thank the victims and survivors for the strength and dignity they have shown throughout this case, and the bravery they have had to bring this prosecution to a conclusion.
"Although nothing will ever give them their childhoods' back, I hope that this lengthy sentence gives them the time and space to come to terms with what they have been through and begin to heal.
"As a Force, GMP are committed to investigating, locating and charging child sexual offenders, seeing prosecutions through the courts to sentencing, just like today's.
"If you, or someone you know, have been the subject of child sexual abuse, regardless of how long ago it was, then please get in touch with us. You will be listened to and you will be believed.