An 85-year-old man has been jailed for 15 years after he was found guilty of multiple sex offences against children.
Minshull Street Crown Court heard that sex offender Gerald Glancy, of Beswick Royds Street in Rochdale, had committed numerous offences including rape and sexual activity with young children, between the dates of 24 October 2018 and 22 May 2022.
The harrowing case heard that Glancy had also entered into sexual communication with a child under the age of 16, making no fewer than 47,000 category A, B and C images of children, taking no fewer than 200 category C indecent images of children and distribution of two category A indecent images of children.
On 15 February 2021, police stormed his home address and arrested him on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children.
Officers found a number of devices, including four mobile phones, five hard drives, five flash drives and two cameras, among others.
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He admitted the offences and was found to be breaching a previous Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Then on 15 June 2022, officers visited Gerald Glancy’s home again, following intelligence received by the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. That visit revealed five unauthorised devices.
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The court also heard about the horrific sexual abuse experienced by 24 young victims.
DCI Suzanne Keenaghan of the Public Protection Governance Unit, said: “Firstly, we would like to commend the bravery of the victims and their families, in providing us with valuable support in this prosecution.
“We know it’s been an extremely harrowing time for them. Glancy is the worst kind of offender and we are pleased that this predator is no longer on the streets and will not be able to hurt children ever again.
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“This case serves as a lesson to those who abuse children, in that if you choose to engage in activities of this kind, we will find you and we will lock you up.
“If there is anyone who is aware of the abuse of children, whether this be online or in person, we would urge you to get in touch with Greater Manchester Police. We will believe you and we will thoroughly investigate every claim.
“We can be contact via 101, through the Live Chat function on our website www.gmp.police.uk or information can be passed through the independent charity – Crimestoppers – anonymously on 0800 555 111.
“If something doesn’t feel right – report it.”
GMP guidance for anyone who needs support
If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.
Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.
Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email [email protected]
Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.
Featured image: GMP
News
Co-op Live confirms cancellations caused by part of air conditioning unit ‘falling from ceiling’
Daisy Jackson
The Co-op Live arena has confirmed the cause of tonight’s last-minute gig cancellation and subsequent postponement of future shows.
Reports said that an object had ‘fallen from the ceiling’ before doors to the public officially opened.
Co-op Live has now confirmed that ‘a component of the air conditioning system’ separated from the ductwork, and stressed that no one was injured.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, the artist who was meant to perform tonight, had said that ‘something happened with the venue while I was at soundcheck today’.
Oak View Group, which owns the venue, said that it had ‘made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue to postpone the performance’.
Tim Leiweke, Chairman and CEO of Oak View Group said: “The safety and security of all visiting and working on Co-op Live is our utmost priority, and we could not and will not run any event until it is absolutely safe to do so.
“Today was a very unexpected situation but without a doubt the right decision.
“I deeply apologise for the impact that this has had on ticket holders and fans.”
It’s believed that the issue with the HVAC system was an isolated incident ’caused by a factory defect’.
Co-op Live said: “We were not able to verify that all similar nozzles were free of such defects.
“In conjunction with wider stakeholders, Oak View Group has made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue, and to postpone the performance.”
The rest of the nozzles inside the huge arena will now be tested for similar defects.
They said in a statement: “We understand the need to reassure fans over future shows. We are working with artist management and promoters to limit the impact on the opening season schedule.
“Where necessary, we will identify alternate dates, and will continually reassess to provide fans with sufficient notice regarding imminent shows.
“Should shows be cancelled or rescheduled, fans will be contacted by their point of purchase and offered a full refund where preferred.”
Olivia Rodrigo’s two Manchester shows at Co-op Live have been postponed
Daisy Jackson
Olivia Rodrigo’s shows at Co-op Live in Manchester have been postponed after a night of drama for the new arena.
The star was meant to bring her GUTS Tour to the city on Friday and Saturday night.
But the huge 23,500-capacity arena has now confirmed that both of these gigs will be postponed.
New dates will be announced as soon as they’re confirmed.
Co-op Live said in a statement: “Due to an on-going venue-related technical issue, the scheduled performances of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour on 3rd and 4th May are being postponed.
“Ticket holders can either hold onto their tickets or obtain a refund from their point of purchase.
“We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”
The massive arena was supposed to open for the first time to the public tonight with a performance by A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.
But it was called off at the eleventh hour, with fans turned away from the doors just minutes before they were meant to open.
Co-op Live has now confirmed that the reason for the cancellation was that a piece of the HVAC (air conditioning) system had ‘separated from the ductwork’.
Rigorous testing on the rest of the system now needs to take place before fans can safely be welcomed inside.
Olivia Rodrigo has yet to issue a statement about her Manchester shows on 3 and 4 May being postponed.