KEITH TIERNEY FROM WYTHENSHAWE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL AND PREGNANT TEEN

In August 2010, a man from Wythenshawe named Keith Tierney was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offenses involving vulnerable young females. The Manchester Crown Court heard harrowing details of Tierney’s crimes, which spanned several years and involved victims as young as early teenagers.

Keith Tierney, aged 36 and without a fixed address at the time of sentencing, was found guilty earlier that year of eight separate sex-related charges. The court was informed that his first known victim was a young girl in her early teens when Tierney attempted to perform a sexual act on her while she was asleep. This initial assault marked the beginning of a series of increasingly serious offenses committed by Tierney over the subsequent three years.

The victim, who later confided in her mother about the abuse, described her torment as ongoing and pervasive. She revealed that the assaults happened so frequently that she could only recall the most memorable occasions, indicating a pattern of sustained abuse. Her courage in speaking out eventually led to Tierney’s arrest and conviction. The court also heard that Tierney sexually assaulted a homeless, pregnant 16-year-old girl in 2004, adding to the gravity of his criminal record.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Robert Atherton described Tierney as a dangerous offender, emphasizing his dismissive attitude towards the severity of his crimes. The judge’s remarks underscored the threat Tierney posed to the community and the need for stringent measures to prevent further harm. Defense lawyer David Toal argued that Tierney’s offending occurred during a period of living a chaotic and unstable lifestyle, suggesting that he was unlikely to reoffend and expressing hope for his rehabilitation. However, the judge was unconvinced, citing the seriousness of the offenses and Tierney’s dangerousness.

As part of his sentence, Tierney was ordered to serve a minimum of six years in prison out of the eight-year sentence, with the remaining two years to be served under supervision. Additionally, he was mandated to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the ongoing risk he poses. The court’s decision was influenced by the prolonged and significant nature of the abuse suffered by the main victim, Michael Lavery, who described the ordeal as continuous and deeply traumatic.

Overall, the case highlights the disturbing pattern of Tierney’s predatory behavior and the judicial system’s response aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals from further harm.