GRAHAM SAUNDERS OF CHARLESWORTH FACES JAIL TERMS FOR HISTORIC SEX OFFENCES IN LONDON

In July 2017, Graham Saunders, a pensioner from Charlesworth, was warned that he is likely to face jail time for historic sexual offences committed over forty years ago. Saunders, aged 78 and residing on Town Lane in Charlesworth, was convicted at a London court but the sentencing was deferred to allow for a pending heart bypass surgery and recovery.

The court was informed that Saunders initiated his abuse of a young boy in the mid-1970s, when the victim was approximately 11 or 12 years old. He was found guilty by a jury at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court on three counts of indecent assault and two counts of indecency with a child. The sentencing is scheduled for September 15.

It was disclosed during the hearing that Saunders was formerly employed by Manchester Polytechnic, and some of the abuse took place during trips to the Lake District.

Judge Timothy Lamb QC stated, “A custodial sentence is almost certain to follow these convictions. I have information that you are to undergo major surgery that will keep you in hospital for several weeks. I want extensive enquiries about your conduct in 1971 and test how straight you have been in this court. I will allow time for the operation and period of convalescence. There will follow a probable custodial sentence.”

Prior to sentencing, Saunders was ordered to register as a sex offender, in accordance with the court's directives.