FRANK MCINNES ROCHDALE CHILD SEX ABUSE VICTIM SLAMS LENIENT SENTENCE
In November 2017, a distressing case involving child sex abuse allegations against Frank McInnes, a resident of Rochdale, drew significant public attention and outrage.The victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous for legal reasons, expressed her profound disappointment and anger following the court's decision to release her attacker without serving a full prison sentence.
Frank McInnes, an 84-year-old former RAF veteran residing on Keepers Drive in Norden, Rochdale, appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court to face charges related to the abuse of two young girls during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Despite admitting to the allegations, McInnes was handed a relatively lenient sentence: two years in prison, which was suspended for two years.
Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for a decade and was subjected to a ten-year restraining order to prevent any contact with the victims.
The victim, whose identity remains protected by law, shared her emotional response to the court proceedings.
She described her feelings of hurt and betrayal upon seeing McInnes in the courtroom, noting his apparent lack of remorse.
She stated, “Seeing the perpetrator in court showing no remorse was hurtful.
I think the sentence he was given was very lenient.
Age should not be a factor for someone who hasn’t shown remorse and has admitted his crime.” She further expressed her concern about the mentality of individuals like McInnes, emphasizing that such attitudes towards child abuse are dangerous and pose ongoing risks to society.
“People with this attitude to sexually abusing children will always have this mentality and will always pose a risk to children within society,” she said.
Her words reflected a sense of injustice and frustration, feeling that the court's decision failed to deliver adequate punishment.
“It feels unfair he is free to continue his life walking around as though he is an innocent man,” she added.
The victim concluded by highlighting the long-lasting impact of the abuse she endured, stating, “I will have to live a life sentence for what he subjected me to whilst he was only served a minimal non-custodial sentence.” Her emotional testimony underscores the pain and sense of injustice felt by many victims of such crimes, especially when justice appears to be insufficiently served.
