ANDREW BUTCHER SENTENCED IN WOLSTANTON FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING LOCAL BOY

In a case that has shocked the community of Wolstanton, Andrew Butcher, aged 44, was convicted of serious sexual offences involving a young boy he met through his work as an undertaker. The incident came to light many years after it occurred, revealing a disturbing pattern of grooming and abuse that took place during a period when the victim was a vulnerable teenager.

It was in April 2021 that the allegations against Butcher surfaced, leading to a detailed investigation and subsequent court proceedings. The case was brought to the attention of authorities after the victim, now an adult, disclosed the abuse during a personal dispute with his partner. This revelation prompted further inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident, which had remained hidden for years.

Andrew Butcher, who resides on Chetwynd Street in Wolstanton, was accused of grooming the boy, whom he met while organizing a family funeral. The relationship began with Butcher establishing a friendship with the boy’s mother, which eventually led to the boy being invited to Butcher’s home in Chesterton. During these visits, Butcher engaged the boy in what he described as a playful 'tickling game' in the living room. However, this seemingly innocent activity was a prelude to more sinister actions.

Prosecutor Antony Longworth outlined the disturbing details to the court, emphasizing the vulnerability of the victim, who was a teenager at the time. Longworth explained that Butcher explicitly told the boy he was gay, which appeared to be part of his grooming strategy. The prosecution detailed how Butcher persuaded the boy’s mother to leave him at his house, where the abuse took place.

According to the court, Butcher placed his hand over the boy’s private area over his clothing during the tickling game. The abuse escalated when Butcher took the boy upstairs, where he undressed himself and the boy. The prosecution alleged that Butcher engaged in oral sex with the child during this encounter. The victim only reported the incident many years later, stating that he was abused on that single occasion.

Following the conviction, Judge Paul Glenn adjourned the case to allow for a report to be prepared on the defendant. Butcher was placed on the sex offenders’ register on an interim basis, and his bail was extended pending further proceedings. The court’s verdict underscores the gravity of the offences committed and highlights the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals from predatory behavior in the community of Wolstanton.