ANDREW EDEN FROM LITTLEBOROUGH JAILED AFTER FLEEING TO MEXICO

In September 2009, a disturbing case involving a convicted child abuser who managed to escape justice by fleeing the United Kingdom has come to light. Andrew Eden, a resident of Littleborough, was initially sentenced to four years in prison in 2001 after being convicted of abusing a young girl and attempting to obstruct justice. His criminal activities and subsequent sentencing marked a dark chapter in his life, but the story did not end there.

Following his release on licence two years later, Eden was supposed to adhere to strict conditions, including regular reporting to authorities. However, by 2005, it was discovered that he had been spending unsupervised time with children, which was a clear breach of his licence terms. This breach prompted authorities to prepare for his re-arrest and return to custody. Instead of complying with the court order to report regularly to police, Eden chose to disappear entirely, evading law enforcement officials and the legal process.

His disappearance prompted a nationwide manhunt, and his details were subsequently added to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre’s Most Wanted list. The search for Eden eventually led to a breakthrough when he was spotted in Mexico. Reports indicated that he had married a 30-year-old woman and was living with her extended family in Guadalajara. During this time, Eden was employed as an English teacher at Guadalajara University, seemingly trying to establish a new life far from the reach of British authorities.

His presence in Mexico was confirmed when he was arrested in September 2008. However, Eden resisted extradition, fighting to remain in Mexico, where conditions for prisoners are reportedly more lenient, including the possibility of conjugal visits. Despite his efforts to avoid returning to the UK, he was eventually extradited in July of the following year. His return marked the beginning of the legal proceedings that would finally hold him accountable for his actions.

In court at Manchester Crown Court, Eden, now 51 years old and a former fireman, faced charges related to his failure to comply with the sex offenders’ register. He admitted to these charges during an earlier hearing. Eden explained that he fled the UK in January 2005 because he was allegedly threatened by an ex-lover who intended to reveal his sordid past to neighbors. He claimed that his initial plan was to move to Mexico or Thailand, but he left earlier than intended due to fears for his safety.

His defence lawyer, Richard Hartley, argued that Eden was simply trying to rebuild his life. However, Judge David Hernandez was clear in his sentencing, emphasizing the importance of monitoring sex offenders to protect the public. Eden was sentenced to 16 months in prison for his failure to register as a sex offender. The judge highlighted that the purpose of reporting and notification regulations is to ensure that offenders can be adequately supervised to prevent further harm to themselves and others.

Throughout the proceedings, the case underscored the serious consequences of attempting to evade justice and the importance of accountability for those convicted of such grave crimes.