Southampton Paedophile Graham Goodchild, a man, has received a 25-year prison sentence for previous sexual offences against four youngsters in Merseyside.
Graham Goodchild, 82, of Firtree Way, Southampton, contested the charges; nevertheless, after a trial, he was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday, June 11, and sentenced today, Monday, September 23, to imprisonment for 17 counts of sexual assault and one act of attempted sexual assault. Goodchild will serve a minimum of 24 years’ incarceration.
The acts against the four male victims transpired in the 1960s and early 1970s, during which Graham Goodchild served as the Night Superintendent at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
The majority of the sexual assaults occurred within parks, the homes of the victims or at Graham Goodchild’s home in Merseyside, with one victim being abused at the hospital.
As well as a prison sentence, Graham Goodchild will be required to sign the Sex Offender Register for life.
Detective Constable Jason Banks, who led the investigation, said: “Graham Goodchild is a predator and used his position of trust to carry out appalling and despicable offences against young children. The level of offending in this case and the acts he subjected his victims to were genuinely horrific.
“I’d like to thank the victims for their immense courage and strength throughout this investigation. This sentencing result has only been made possible thanks to their bravery.”
Specially Trained Officer Jill Burnett, who supported the victims throughout the investigation, added: “I hope this also encourages others who might have been subjected to instances of historical abuse to come forward because no time is a barrier to reporting offences. They will get the support and advice they need to help them come to terms with their ordeal, and if they so wish, put their abuser before the courts.”
If you’ve been affected by sexual violence of any kind, don’t be afraid to tell someone; find the courage to come forward and get the help you deserve.
If you are a child or young person suffering sexual or physical abuse, the following organisations can also provide help and support:
- NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000 or e-mail help@nspcc.org.uk.
- Childline – call 0800 1111
You can report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences anonymously here: How to report rape, sexual assault or other sexual offences | Merseyside Police
Support is available from specialist officers within Merseyside Police and through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service, which is delivered jointly by two registered charities.
In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.