Rochdale Man Jailed for Child Sexual Abuse

Christopher McGourlay (02/07/1960), of Waithlands Road, Rochdale, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Friday, September 1, 2023, for child sexual abuse. He was found guilty by a jury on July 19, 2023, of 10 counts of indecent assault on a female under the age of 14, attempted rape of a girl under the age of 16, and indecent assault of a male under the age of 14. The crimes, which occurred in the early 1990s, were unrelated and had a significant impact on both victims.

DC Elisabeth Stacey of the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Team at Rochdale Police Station stated, "McGourlay has now begun a 15-year jail sentence for these despicable crimes against these victims and survivors, when they were both young children who had no idea what was happening to them."

"I want to thank the victims and survivors for the strength and dignity they have shown throughout this case, and the bravery they have had to bring this prosecution to a conclusion," Stacey added. "Although nothing will ever give them their childhoods' back, I hope that this lengthy sentence gives them the time and space to come to terms with what they have been through and begin to heal."

"As a Force, GMP are committed to investigating, locating and charging child sexual offenders, seeing prosecutions through the courts to sentencing, just like today's," Stacey emphasized.

If you, or someone you know, have been the subject of child sexual abuse, regardless of how long ago it was, please contact Greater Manchester Police (GMP). You will be listened to, and you will be believed.