URMSTON PENSIONER GARY STRICKLAND SENT INDECENT PICTURES AND INAPPROPRIATE TEXTS TO UNDERAGE GIRLS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Urmston, a pensioner named Gary Strickland has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in the exploitation of young girls. The case, which came to light following a thorough investigation by Trafford’s Phoenix Sexual Exploitation Team, revealed a pattern of predatory behavior by the 74-year-old man.

Strickland’s criminal activities included persistent attempts to contact underage girls through highly sexualized messages. He used his communication channels to send inappropriate texts to a teenage girl, with whom he had established a false sense of friendship and trust. These messages, which police described as relentless, included requests for the girl to visit him at his residence on Harington Close, further demonstrating his manipulative tactics.

The investigation uncovered that Strickland had taken indecent photographs of the girl and her friend, who was also under 16 years old. The girls had been picked up by Strickland in his car, during which he offered them alcohol and cigarettes, substances often associated with grooming and exploitation. After gaining their trust, he exploited that trust by encouraging inappropriate behavior and capturing indecent images of the young girls.

Authorities were alerted after concerns were raised about a girl under 16 found at Strickland’s home. An abduction notice was issued, and police intervened. The situation escalated when, a year later in July 2016, the same girl was reported missing again. Officers then located her at Strickland’s residence, where they discovered a series of messages he had exchanged with her between July and October 2016. These messages revealed his persistent efforts to lure her into visiting him, despite her age and the obvious risks involved.

Further investigation revealed that Strickland had befriended the girls, likely using his charm and manipulation to gain their trust before exploiting them sexually. His actions included offering alcohol and cigarettes, which are often used as grooming tools to lower the inhibitions of vulnerable minors. The police found that he had taken indecent photographs of the girls, actions that constitute serious criminal offenses.

Following a court hearing at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, Strickland pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of child abduction, two counts of taking indecent images of a child, and one count of facilitating or arranging a child sex offense. The court sentenced him to five years in prison, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the harm caused to the young victims. His actions have been described as ‘horrific’ and a stark reminder of the dangers faced by vulnerable minors in the community of Urmston.