ANDREW GILROY'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN BRENTFORD AND NORTHOLT: PASTOR TURNED OFFENDER

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Brentford and Northolt, Andrew Gilroy, a former local pastor and youth worker, has been convicted and sentenced for heinous crimes involving underage boys. Gilroy, who had been actively involved in youth work since 1995, was found guilty of a series of serious charges related to the exploitation and abuse of minors.

Gilroy's criminal activities came to light in August 2006, when police raided his residence following a tip-off. The investigation revealed that Gilroy had been inviting teenage boys to his home, paying them up to £40 per session to take explicit photographs. The police discovered an alarming collection of over 3,000 indecent images stored on his computer, depicting boys aged 16 and 17 in various compromising poses.

His work history included serving as a youth worker in Brentford and later at the Ealing Road location, where many of the offenses occurred. His involvement with the community began in 1995, when he started working in Brentford, and he later became a pastor at the Syon Mission Church, which closed in November 2006 following his arrest.

The case was brought to light when a friend of one of the victims, who had been staying with Gilroy, discovered photographs of the boy on Gilroy's computer. The friend printed some images and reported his findings to the police, leading to Gilroy's arrest. During the court proceedings at Isleworth Crown Court, Gilroy admitted to 13 charges, including paying for sexual services of a minor, taking indecent photographs, making and distributing such images, and possessing a vast collection of indecent images.

Prosecutor Peter Lancaster detailed the extent of Gilroy's offenses, stating that he had amassed 3,471 indecent images, with varying degrees of seriousness, from January 2006 until his arrest seven months later. The images included photographs of boys aged 16 and 17, some of which depicted their genitals. Gilroy's appearance was described as bearded, bespectacled, and bald.

His defense argued that there was no coercion involved and that Gilroy's actions were influenced by his personal struggles with his sexuality, which he reportedly had difficulty accepting. Counsel Piers Mostyn claimed that the boys participated willingly and that Gilroy's actions were not forced, but driven by his own internal conflicts.

Judge Hezlett Colgan sentenced Gilroy to three years in prison, ordered him to be placed on the sex offenders' register for life, and prohibited him from working with children ever again. The judge emphasized the breach of trust involved, especially given Gilroy's role as a pastor, and the damage caused to the community's sense of safety and security.

Following his arrest, Gilroy resigned from his position as a pastor. The Syon Mission Church, where he served, closed its doors in November 2006, marking the end of his public service career amidst the scandal. The case remains a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children and the devastating consequences when trust is betrayed by those in positions of authority.