GEORGE MASSEY FROM LEASOWE SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN WIRRAL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Leasowe and the wider Wirral area, Geoffrey Massey, aged 54, was convicted and sentenced for heinous crimes involving a young girl. The offences came to light after Massey, a devout Jehovah’s Witness, engaged in a series of sexual abuses against a 13-year-old girl at his residence in Wirral.

According to court proceedings, Massey not only molested the girl but also took indecent photographs of her, which he later deleted from his computer to conceal his actions. The court heard that Massey would pay the girl money after each incident, attempting to silence her and prevent her from revealing the abuse. The young victim, who was only 13 at the time, was subjected to repeated sexual activity at Massey’s home, with the man engaging in acts such as getting naked with her and inciting her to touch him.

Prosecutor David Evans detailed that Massey’s misconduct involved multiple occasions of sexual activity, and he would pay the girl to keep her silent. Initially, during police interviews, the girl denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the money she received was for cleaning work. However, after further questioning and additional information, she disclosed the full extent of the abuse, revealing that she had felt too ashamed or foolish to admit it earlier.

The case took a further grim turn when, in April following the revelations, the young girl attempted to take her own life by overdosing. She was subsequently hospitalized for treatment, highlighting the severe emotional toll the abuse had inflicted.

Geoffrey Massey, of Twickenham Drive, Leasowe, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including sexual activity with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual acts, and making indecent photographs of a child. The photographs, which could have provided further evidence, were never recovered as Massey had deleted them from his device.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Adrian Lyon emphasized the gravity of Massey’s offences, particularly noting the last count involving the photographs. The judge stated, “I have regard for the totality of the offences and in particular the last count, which dealt with a number of photographs you took of the child, aged 13, on your behalf. There seems to have been a number of occasions on which you engaged in sexual activity with this child.”

Defence lawyer Lee Bonner argued that Massey’s actions were driven by fear once the abuse had begun, rather than any sexual gratification. Bonner explained that Massey was too frightened to stop, fearing that the victim might expose him once the financial support ceased. He also mentioned that Massey, who had no previous convictions, had left his family and was facing hostility from his community, which he described as a “hate campaign.”

Judge Lyon sentenced Massey to three years and four months in prison, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the impact on the young victim. The case has left a lasting scar on the community of Leasowe and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children from abuse.