ANDREW RIGBY SENTENCED IN MIDDLEWICH FOR ATTEMPTED CHILD ABDUCTION AND SEX OFFENCES

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Middlewich, Andrew Rigby, a 34-year-old man with a troubling criminal history, has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for attempting to lure a 15-year-old boy to his residence. The incident occurred less than six months after Rigby was released from prison, raising serious concerns about his rehabilitation and the safety of the public.

Rigby, who resides on Wheelock Street, appeared at Chester Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to abduct a child and breaching a sexual prevention order. His criminal record is extensive; in 2011, he received a five-and-a-half-year sentence for facilitating child sex offences and attempting to produce indecent images of a minor. During his incarceration, Rigby was also convicted of sexual offences against two young boys, which resulted in an extended prison sentence. Despite these convictions, Rigby successfully convinced the parole board that he no longer posed a threat to society, leading to his release on licence in June 2017.

The court was informed that Rigby first encountered his latest victim, a 15-year-old boy whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, in a Middlewich car park in November. Rigby initiated conversation with the boy, who was accompanied by friends at the time. The following days saw Rigby approaching the boy again in the town centre, where he waited for an opportune moment to speak to him alone. The court heard that Rigby shouted at the boy, attempting to persuade him to come to his home by claiming he needed help retrieving his belongings from his attic, which he said he couldn’t access because he was too large. Rigby offered to pay the boy for assistance, but the teenager refused, citing concerns about being grounded if he was late.

Despite the refusal, Rigby persisted, following the boy and asking if he liked drinking alcohol. The victim managed to escape by running away and reached home safely, where he confided in his mother. The police were subsequently called, and Rigby was arrested after authorities reviewed CCTV footage that captured his interactions with the boy. Initially, Rigby denied any wrongdoing during police interviews and before magistrates. However, he later pleaded guilty during a plea and trial preparation hearing.

During the court proceedings, the victim provided a heartfelt victim impact statement. He expressed fear of leaving the house and going out with friends following the incident. The boy also shared that he became more cautious about who was around him, especially older men, and emphasized his awareness that Rigby’s attempt to lure him was wrong. “When he tried to get me to come home with him I knew it was wrong,” he said. “I was scared he wanted me to follow him. I didn’t want this to happen to anyone else.”

Judge Patrick Thompson delivered the sentence, stating that he was ‘very satisfied’ Rigby was sexually attracted to the victim and that he had planned to take him to his home to commit further sexual offences. The judge emphasized the high risk Rigby posed to children, describing him as a “highly devious, cunning and manipulative man” who had successfully deceived professionals, including psychologists and sex offender program managers, to secure his release. “You managed to convince professional people and other agents on the sex offender programme that you were safe to be released,” the judge remarked. “That wasn’t the case. You wanted to be released because you wanted to go out and commit sexual offences against children.”

Rigby was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison, a punishment that reflects the severity of his actions and the ongoing threat he poses to the community of Middlewich. His case underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and thorough assessments of offenders with a history of sexual crimes, especially those who are released from custody. The community and authorities alike are reminded of the persistent dangers posed by individuals like Rigby, whose manipulative tactics and criminal tendencies continue to threaten the safety of vulnerable children.