GLENN MUNNERY FROM MARTON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN PRESTON

In a case that has shocked the local community, Glenn Munnery, a 24-year-old man from Marton, has been sentenced to two years in prison for engaging in a sexual relationship with a girl who was only 15 years old at the time. The sentencing took place at Preston Crown Court, where Judge Jonathan Gibson delivered a stern warning about the gravity of the offenses committed.

Judge Gibson described the incident as “every parent’s nightmare,” emphasizing the distress and concern caused to the girl’s family. The crimes occurred while Munnery was already under a community order for previous offenses involving a different 15-year-old girl he had been involved with. This prior conviction involved an incident of battery, for which he had been given a 12-month community order and a restraining order related to his former partner, another girl aged 15.

The court proceedings revealed that Munnery’s relationship with the girl in question began while he was on a community order. The girl’s father was reportedly deeply unhappy with the relationship and took steps to alert authorities. On January 26, Munnery, who resides on Pickmere Avenue in Marton, was served with a notice under the Child Abduction Act, explicitly forbidding him from associating with the girl. Despite this, the girl was reported missing in March and was not located until four days later.

Prosecutor Kirsten McAteer presented evidence that a forensic examination of the girl’s clothing revealed DNA matching Munnery’s, establishing a clear link between him and the girl. Throughout police interviews conducted in March and May, Munnery chose not to comment on the allegations. However, he later pleaded guilty to charges of child abduction and engaging in sexual activity with a minor.

During the hearing, Munnery’s defense attorney, Janet Ironfield, argued that her client was unaware of the girl’s age until he was served with the official notice. She described the relationship as “loving” and claimed that the girl did not want the order to be enforced. Miss Ironfield explained that the girl frequently sought out Munnery, often visiting his residence late at night, although he refused to allow her to stay overnight. She also noted that the girl continued to contact Munnery while he was in custody, writing numerous letters, although this contact was eventually halted when prison authorities became aware of it. Ironfield expressed concern for the girl’s emotional well-being.

It was also revealed that in November of the previous year, Munnery had been given a 12-month community order for two separate battery offenses involving another 15-year-old girl. He was also subject to a restraining order at that time.

Judge Gibson sentenced Munnery to two years in prison and ordered that he be placed on the sex offenders register for ten years. Additionally, he will be subject to a sexual offences prevention order. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the seriousness of the breach, stating, “You were told in clear terms by the notice you were not to remove her from the lawful control of her parents. Her parents were, it is quite obvious to me, extremely concerned about their daughter. I accept it wasn’t necessarily you who was responsible for the fact she wanted to leave their care, but frankly, what happened is every parent’s nightmare when they have a teenage daughter, and I’m afraid you grossly ignored the notice served upon you by continuing your relationship.”