PAUL GANDY FROM HASLINGDEN CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ABUSE INVOLVING CHILD VICTIMS IN BOLTON

In October 2021, a disturbing case unfolded involving Paul Gandy, a man from Haslingden, who was found guilty of heinous sexual offenses against young children. The case centered around a nine-year-old girl who, after a school-based sex education lesson, realized she had been subjected to abuse by Gandy, a revelation that shocked the community and prompted further disclosures from other victims.

Initially, the young girl had confided in her mother and the police that Gandy had made her touch an 'object,' a disturbing detail that indicated early signs of abuse. However, it was only after a specific lesson at school, where she learned about sexual boundaries and abuse, that she fully understood the nature of what had happened to her. This moment of clarity was pivotal, leading her to recognize Gandy as her abuser.

The brave girl’s account, shared in the summer of 2019, not only brought her own suffering to light but also encouraged another woman, now in her 30s, to come forward. This second victim recounted her own traumatic experience of abuse by Gandy when she was just three or four years old. Her testimony revealed that the abuse had a lasting impact, with her describing her life as being 'ruined' by the incident. She detailed how her childhood was marred by the trauma, and how she had struggled with the aftermath for years.

On Monday, October 18, Gandy, aged 59 and residing on Rydal Road in Haslingden, was convicted of multiple serious charges, including indecent assault, causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and sexual assault of a child under 13. The prosecution, led by Alaric Bassano, outlined the disturbing nature of Gandy’s actions during the trial at Bolton Crown Court.

According to Mr. Bassano, Gandy had approached the nine-year-old girl’s bedside on multiple occasions. During the first visit, he kissed her on the cheek and forehead and stroked her hair, actions that already indicated inappropriate behavior. On a subsequent visit, he also unclasped her fingers, further crossing boundaries. The third time, Gandy caused her to perform a sexual act upon him, a detail that was corroborated by the girl’s police interviews. She recounted that she eventually stopped allowing Gandy to manipulate her hand, and he eventually relented and left her alone.

The girl’s account was supported by her diary entries, which she wrote after the incident, and a police officer was shown a page from her diary during the investigation. She also identified the area of her body that Gandy had touched by pointing to a picture of a gingerbread man, providing crucial evidence in the case.

The second victim, who was in her 30s at the time of trial, described her own traumatic experience of abuse by Gandy when she was only three or four years old. Her testimony acknowledged that there were gaps in her memory, such as the duration of the abuse and what Gandy was wearing, but emphasized that the assault and her subsequent reaction—running to the bathroom—were indelible memories. She expressed her feelings of betrayal and devastation, stating, “I think he thinks he’s got away with it,” and “He actually ruined my life.” She further explained how the abuse had profoundly affected her childhood and her adult life, noting that she had confided in friends, family, and a counselor over the years.

During the trial, the defense questioned why the second victim had not reported the abuse sooner. She explained that she only felt strong enough to come forward after discovering that Gandy had also abused another girl, which she described as her 'worst nightmare.'

Gandy remains in custody as he awaits sentencing, scheduled for Friday, November 26, at Bolton Crown Court. His Honour Judge Tom Gilbart commended the jurors for their service, acknowledging the difficulty of the case and the emotional toll it took on those involved. The verdict marks a significant step in addressing the serious allegations of child sexual abuse linked to Paul Gandy in the Haslingden area.