JAMES GLENDENNING FROM STOCKPORT SENTENCED TO 23 YEARS FOR ABUSE IN THE 1970S
In a case that has shocked the community of Stockport and the wider region, 88-year-old James Glendenning, a former police officer from Reddish, was handed a lengthy prison sentence of 23 years for a series of heinous sexual crimes committed against young girls during the 1970s.The court proceedings revealed a disturbing history of abuse, much of which remains too distressing to be fully disclosed in public reports.
Glendenning, who served with the Royal Artillery before joining West Midlands Police and later leaving the force in the 1970s after a 17-year career, was found guilty of multiple charges following a trial.
The charges included one count of rape, ten counts of indecent assault, and four counts of indecency with a child.
The court heard that some of these offenses took place while he was still serving as a police officer, adding a layer of betrayal to the gravity of his crimes.
During the trial, it was revealed that Glendenning had threatened one of his victims with a cane if she disclosed the abuse, illustrating the coercive tactics he employed to silence his victims.
One of the girls, who endured the trauma, was heard screaming in pain during one of the assaults and pleading for him to stop, a detail that underscored the brutality of his actions.
The sentencing took place at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court, where Judge David Stockdale QC, the Recorder of Manchester, presided.
The judge, citing Glendenning’s physical frailty and need for a frame to walk, stated that he did not need to stand in the dock during sentencing.
In his remarks, Judge Stockdale condemned Glendenning’s conduct as 'utterly depraved and utterly wicked,' emphasizing the betrayal of trust inherent in his abuse of young girls.
He described the crimes as 'utterly degrading' and pointed out that the victims had been forced to live with the memories of their suffering for over four decades.
One of the victims had previously reported the abuse to police in the 1980s, but her account was not believed at the time, which the judge described as 'devastating' for her.
The investigation was reactivated in 2015 following another complaint, leading to Glendenning’s eventual conviction.
Throughout the trial, Glendenning repeatedly lied to the police and the jury, denying the allegations and attempting to dismiss the victims’ accounts as fabrications.
The judge highlighted that these lies had been exposed, and the jury’s verdicts had accepted the victims’ testimonies as truthful.
The court acknowledged the profound psychological trauma inflicted upon the victims, including fear, isolation, health issues, self-harm, and difficulties in forming relationships.
Judge Stockdale praised their courage, stoicism, and dignity in facing their ordeal.
Addressing Glendenning directly, the judge noted that his 23-year sentence effectively guarantees he will spend the rest of his life in prison.
The defendant showed no visible reaction as he was led away from the dock to begin serving his sentence.
The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Stockport, serving as a stark reminder of the long-lasting effects of abuse and the importance of justice for victims of such heinous crimes.
