JOSEPH CHISNALL SENTENCED IN WIGAN FOR CHILD GROPING OFFENSES IN ASHTON

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Ashton and Wigan, Joseph Chisnall, a 79-year-old resident of Dryden Avenue in Ashton, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison following his conviction for sexually abusing two young victims over a decade ago. The court heard that Chisnall had admitted to two counts of indecent assault, but the judge expressed skepticism about his acceptance of responsibility for the crimes.

As Chisnall was led away to serve his sentence, he paused momentarily and directed a hostile glare towards the two victims, now adults, who were present in the courtroom’s public gallery. In a display of defiance, he mouthed words of abuse at them, further highlighting the tension and gravity of the proceedings. Initially, he faced seven charges of indecent assault; however, five charges were dropped after he pleaded guilty to the remaining two.

The allegations against Chisnall came to light after the two victims, who had not known at the time of the offenses that the other had also been abused, independently visited his home in Ashton to confront him about their past experiences. During the trial, a poignant audio recording was played in court, capturing Chisnall’s denial of the victims’ claims. The male victim, visibly distressed, recounted how the abuse had led him to self-harm and attempt suicide, illustrating the profound and lasting impact of the offenses.

Judge David Aubrey, QC, addressed Chisnall directly, stating that although the victims initially hesitated to involve the police, they decided to do so after confronting him. The judge emphasized that the victims did not seek retribution but merely wanted acknowledgment and remorse. “You posed the question to your victims, ‘what do you want me to say?’,” the judge remarked. “In the court’s judgment, that was a very arrogant question because you knew full well what they wanted—an apology and recognition of your wrongdoing.”

Further, the judge noted that a pre-sentence report indicated Chisnall remained in denial about his actions and disputed the sexualized nature of his behavior. “You showed no victim empathy,” Judge Aubrey stated. “It is ironic because your victims have consistently displayed empathy towards you throughout these proceedings.” As part of his sentence, Chisnall was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years.

Prosecutor Tom Watson detailed the nature of the offenses during the hearing at Liverpool Crown Court. He explained that when the male victim was just seven or eight years old, Chisnall had sexually abused him by placing his hand down the boy’s shorts. The other offense involved Chisnall leaning a 12-year-old girl over a workbench and molesting her. The impact statements from the victims revealed the long-term emotional damage caused by the abuse. The male victim shared that the incident had led him to question his sexuality and caused difficulties in his personal relationships. The female victim, who had kept her ordeal secret for years, also reported experiencing relationship problems as a consequence of her trauma.

Chisnall’s defense attorney, Patrick Williamson, argued that his client had no prior history of offending and had not committed any offenses since. He highlighted Chisnall’s age and his background as a hard-working individual, requesting that the court consider suspending any jail sentence. However, given the serious nature of the crimes and the impact on the victims, the judge decided that a custodial sentence was appropriate, emphasizing the need for accountability and protection of the community.