The Accrington Paedophile, Michael McGrath is out and about living in a community near you. Back in 2017, Michael McGrath, a child rapist, was jailed for ten years.
Michael McGrath, of Abbey Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to historic offences of rape in the 1990s.
The 61-year-old, Michael McGrath, was jailed at Burnley Crown Court for ten years and made subject to police notification requirements for life.
Jeremy Grout-Smith, prosecuting, told the court how the victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, initially ‘couldn’t deal with what had happened and could deal with going to the police’.
The court heard how she then found the process of giving a video recording of an interview to police and making a statement ‘very painful indeed’.
Joe Boyd, defending Michael McGrath, said he immediately confessed to the offences when interviewed by police and pleaded guilty at court at the first opportunity.
He said: “My instructions, and what the defendant has said throughout this investigation, is that whatever (the victim) has said must be true.
“He entirely accepts anything alleged by her, and at no stage did he want to do anything to increase her trauma.”
Mr Boyd said Michael McGrath was ‘drinking very heavily’ at the time of the offences, and he now has medical problems, including diabetes, severe asthma and Chron’s Disease.
The court heard how Michael McGrath initially admitted the crimes ten years ago when confronted by relatives of the victim and that the victim ‘didn’t feel strong enough’ to go to the police.
Mr Boyd told the court: “This is not something that came out of the blue. He has had ten years to deal with it.
“His actions throughout the investigation have been remorseful and to do his best.
“Michael McGrath lives a lonely existence and is in feeble health.”
Judge Jonathan Gibson said Michael McGrath’s actions had caused a ‘great deal of upset and psychological reaction’ to the victim.
Sentencing, he said: “It’s pretty apparent that this has significantly impacted her.
“It’s sometimes said that sexual offending of this kind can wreck lives, and this is an example of that.
“You admitted what you had done immediately to the police, and that, of course, is a significant mitigating feature in any case, but particularly in a case of this kind.
“I do assess you as remorseful.”
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.