A Wigan man has been jailed for historic sex offences committed in Wilmslow over an eight-year period, more than 20 years after the crimes were first reported to police.
Andrew Grierson, 65, of McCormack Drive in Wigan, was sentenced to 18 years in prison at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday (November 11). He had been found guilty of four counts of sexual assault on a girl under 13 and five counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14, following a seven-day trial.
Offences first reported in 2004
Grierson's victim first reported him to police in 2004, over offences which occurred between 1996 and 2004, Cheshire Police said. He was arrested and interviewed but denied the allegations.
Concerns had first been raised with Children's Social Care in 1998, the force said, but the matter was closed without police investigation due to a lack of evidence. No charges were authorised against him following the first report in 2004, and he was released.
Case reopened after repeated reports
The victim contacted police again in 2011 and provided a detailed account of abuse, but the case was again closed following a decision not to seek further CPS advice. She contacted Cheshire Police once more in 2021, at which point the case was finally reopened at her request.
The force has admitted that she was let down by police but said that the way it handles reports of sexual offences has improved significantly since the 2000s.
Grierson was interviewed again in December 2021 and denied the allegations. Detective Inspector Claire Miles, whose decision it was to reopen the case after reviewing it in 2021, commended the victim for her remarkable bravery and tenacity in the pursuit of justice.
"Despite numerous setbacks, she persisted in reporting what happened to her and her continued support for this investigation is truly inspirational," DI Miles said.
Police acknowledge past failings
"It is thanks to her that we have finally put a dangerous sexual predator behind bars where he belongs. Grierson preyed on the victim and sexually abused her over a number of years," DI Miles added.
Detective Superintendent Dave Worthington said: "The victim's determination and resilience throughout this investigation has been exceptional, and this outcome is a testament to her strength.
"As a child, she was sadly let down by several organisations, including Cheshire Constabulary, and while nothing can undo the harm caused, I hope this result provides her with a sense of closure and allows her to move forward with her life."
Worthington noted that since the initial investigation in the early 2000s, the way the force deals with reports of sexual offences has improved significantly, and it recently secured the highest charge rate for sexual offences in England and Wales.
