JASON WINWARD FROM LITTLEBOROUGH SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL ABUSE AND THREATENING A NINE-YEAR-OLD BOY WITH AN AXE IN GREATER MANCHESTER

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community, Jason Winward, a 46-year-old man from Littleborough, has been sentenced to prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed during his teenage years. The crimes involved a nine-year-old boy who was subjected to severe abuse, with Winward employing terrifying threats to silence his young victim.

According to court proceedings, Winward threatened to chop off the boy’s fingers with an axe if he dared to disclose the abuse to his parents. This chilling threat was part of a broader pattern of frightening and disgusting behavior that left the victim traumatized. The court heard that Winward, during the period of 1986 and 1987, forced the young boy to perform sexual acts in a garden shed, an act that has left lasting scars on the victim’s mental health.

The victim, who now suffers from severe depression, bravely testified at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court about the ordeal. He recounted how Winward had used intimidation and violence to maintain control over him, including the terrifying threat involving the axe. The court was told that Winward had set up and managed a family-run printing business called Pad Printers, which boasts a turnover of £1.5 million and employs 25 staff members. Despite his professional success, Winward’s dark past came to light during the investigation.

The police launched a historic abuse investigation last year after the victim’s father discovered that his son had traveled to Winward’s rural home, valued at approximately £250,000, in an attempt to confront him. However, it is believed that the confrontation never actually took place. The father’s discovery prompted authorities to reopen the case, leading to Winward’s arrest and subsequent trial.

Winward denied all charges, maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings. Nevertheless, the jury found him guilty of six counts of indecent assault and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The crimes were committed over a period spanning from 1986 to 1987, during which Winward’s actions inflicted significant harm on the young victim.

During sentencing, Judge Bernadette Baxter described the severity of Winward’s threats and actions, stating, “You threatened him with an axe, placing his hand on the floor, bringing the axe down and telling him if he told his parents you would cut his fingers off.” The judge emphasized the terrifying nature of the threats and the lasting impact on the victim.

As a result, Jason Winward was sentenced to ten years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect the community from further harm. The case has served as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the devastating effects of abuse, especially when perpetrated by individuals in positions of trust and authority.