STEPHEN WADE FROM ASTLEY BRIDGE AND FARNWORTH SENTENCED FOR ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRLS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Astley Bridge and Farnworth, Stephen Wade, aged 59, has been sentenced to nine years and six months in prison for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young girls. The offences, which spanned over several years, included the abuse of girls aged five and six during sleepovers and while they were playing at his residence.

Wade’s criminal activities came to light after a detailed investigation that revealed his manipulative and predatory behavior. Court proceedings uncovered that Wade would lure children onto his property in Farnworth by using a seemingly innocent attraction: a bouncy castle filled with soap and water. This device was used as a trap to entice children, making it easier for him to carry out his sinister acts. Witnesses and victims described how Wade would walk around his house naked, creating an unsettling environment that contributed to the atmosphere of fear and confusion among the young victims.

One of the most disturbing aspects of Wade’s misconduct involved inviting a young girl into the bathroom while he was taking a bath, an act that was part of his pattern of inappropriate behavior. The court heard that Wade would often share sleepovers with young girls at his house, where he would place a double mattress on the floor of his living room. During these sleepovers, Wade would touch the girls inappropriately and, on at least one occasion, asked a girl to touch his private parts, further demonstrating his predatory tendencies.

Wade’s actions against one particular victim, who was only six years old at the time, were detailed during the trial. The girl recounted how Wade would walk around his house naked when she was present and would invite her into the bathroom while he was in the bath. She also described an incident where Wade asked her to touch his private parts, an act she felt compelled to do because she was told to by an adult. The victim’s mother later confirmed that her daughter had not initially disclosed the abuse, believing she was at fault for complying with Wade’s instructions.

The court also heard about Wade’s abuse of another young girl, aged four or five, who shared a bed with him. Wade would touch her inappropriately and follow her around the house, including into the toilet. The victim, who was six at the time, eventually confided in her mother that Wade had touched her, revealing the extent of his misconduct.

Wade’s criminal record includes multiple counts of indecent assault and indecency with a child. He was convicted on three counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child. During the sentencing hearing at Bolton Crown Court, Wade was also penalized with an additional seven days for breaching his bail conditions after failing to appear in court on a scheduled date. As a result, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

His crimes date back to 1999, when he was living in Farnworth following his separation from his wife. The lengthy period over which these offences occurred highlights a pattern of predatory behavior that persisted for years before Wade’s eventual arrest and conviction. The case has brought to light the importance of vigilance and the need for protective measures to prevent such abuse from going unnoticed for so long.

Wade’s sentencing marks a significant step in delivering justice for his victims and serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals who exploit their positions of trust to commit such heinous acts.