ANDREW WARD FROM THORPE ASTLEY SENTENCED FOR GROOMING YOUNG GIRLS IN GLOUCESTER

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community, Andrew Ward, a resident of Thorpe Astley, was sentenced to four years in prison for grooming and sexually abusing two young girls. The heinous acts took place over a period spanning from February 1, 1997, to February 1, 2000, involving two girls who were just 8 and 11 years old at the time.

Ward, aged 40 at the time of sentencing, had initially been scheduled to stand trial in January. However, he chose to admit guilt on two counts of indecently assaulting one girl and two counts of molesting the other. The court proceedings revealed that Ward had also taken indecent photographs of the victims, one of which he kept for more than a year, raising serious concerns about his intentions and the extent of his misconduct.

During the January hearing, Ward’s sister, Dianne Hawthorne, also became involved in the courtroom drama. She was sentenced to eight days in jail for contempt of court after shouting abuse at the two girls, aged 11 and 13, outside the courtroom. This incident added another layer of controversy to the case, highlighting the tense atmosphere surrounding the proceedings.

Today, at Gloucester Crown Court, Ward appeared again to face sentencing. He was found guilty of the charges and received a four-year prison term, with an additional year to be served under supervised license. Judge Jamie Tabor QC addressed Ward directly, acknowledging his otherwise good character in civilian life but emphasizing the gravity of his crimes.

“In civilian life, you are a man of good character,” Judge Tabor stated. “People speak highly of you – the public gallery is full of people who have stood by you, when many would have lost their friends because of what you have done. I take into account that you have not been in trouble before. The admission of your guilt was very late.”

He further remarked on the disturbing nature of Ward’s actions, noting that while Ward claimed he was not a predator of women in general, his behavior towards these young girls was clearly predatory. The judge described the grooming process as sinister, especially given that Ward took photographs and kept them for over a year, which he found particularly troubling.

Ward’s defense lawyer, Rosemary Collins, called an ex-girlfriend to testify about his good character and stated that Ward was “thoroughly ashamed” of his actions, accepting that what he did was wrong. The court heard that the abuse may have begun as early as 1997, when one of the girls was only eight years old. Prosecutor Ian Fenny described Ward as a “predatory paedophile,” emphasizing that he took indecent photographs and a video, and that evidence of digital penetration was found, including damage to one girl’s hymen.

It was only when one of the victims developed an unrelated genital infection that suspicions arose, leading to Ward’s arrest. During police questioning, Ward initially claimed he had no sexual interest in children, a denial that was contradicted by the evidence presented in court. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Thorpe Astley and Gloucester, raising serious concerns about safeguarding and the protection of vulnerable children.