GRAHAM PIPES FROM WIGAN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES IN PRESTON AND THIRSK
In a series of disturbing incidents spanning over two decades, Graham Pipes, a 49-year-old man from Wigan, has been convicted and sentenced for multiple sexual offenses involving both a young boy and an adult man.The court proceedings revealed a pattern of predatory behavior that has left a lasting impact on his victims and has prompted serious legal repercussions.
On December 2015, Pipes was sentenced to a total of five years and four months in prison at Preston Crown Court.
The charges stemmed from separate incidents that occurred in 2009 and 1985.
The most recent assault took place during the summer of 2009 at the Leisure Lakes campsite in Tarleton, where a 21-year-old man was staying.
According to court reports, the victim awoke to find Pipes sexually assaulting him.
The trauma inflicted was so profound that the victim only felt able to come forward and report the incident to authorities in October 2014, nearly five years after the assault.
The earlier offense involved the historic rape of a seven-year-old boy, for whom Pipes was acting as a babysitter at an address in Thirsk, North Yorkshire.
For many years, Pipes denied any involvement in the crime, maintaining his innocence until he was formally charged in June of the same year.
He eventually pleaded guilty to the charges in October, acknowledging his guilt and accepting responsibility for the assault.
Detective Constable Catherine Thomas from the Public Protection Unit commented on the case, stating, “Graham Pipes is an opportunistic sexual predator who took advantage of both a vulnerable man and a young boy to satisfy his own perverse sexual desires.
He showed no remorse or consideration for his victims, in particular the child whose innocence he stole, by denying the offence for years before he eventually did the decent thing and admitted it.“ She further expressed hope that the bravery shown by both victims in coming forward would help them begin to heal and move forward with their lives.
In a separate case dating back to January 2010, Pipes, then aged 43 and residing on Mill Lane in Appley Bridge, Wigan, was sentenced to ten years in prison for the rape and sexual abuse of a young girl.
Judge Robert Warnock emphasized the severity of Pipes’ actions, stating, “You stole her childhood and innocence, and I have no doubt she suffered at your hands for the purposes of your own sexual gratification.” The judge ordered Pipes to register as a sex offender for life and imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order that prohibited him from having unsupervised contact or employment involving children under 16.
Mrs.
Karen Brooks, prosecuting at Liverpool Crown Court, detailed how the offenses, which came to light in the summer of 2009, began with indecent touching and escalated to rape when the girl was 14.
When Pipes learned that police were investigating him, he took an overdose and was hospitalized.
The following day, he was interviewed by officers and admitted to the indecent behavior, expressing remorse and disgust at his actions.
Pipes also admitted to being attracted to young girls, which the court acknowledged as part of his psychological profile.
During the proceedings, Pipes pleaded guilty to three counts of rape, attempted rape, two counts of sexual touching, and two charges of sexual assault by penetration.
His defense attorney, Mr.
Paul Treble, argued that the case was a clear example of escalating sexual abuse over time, and highlighted that Pipes had cooperated fully with police, expressing remorse for his conduct.
The court’s sentencing reflects the serious nature of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the public.
