‘Prison is the only place for a person like that ‘- Salford man jailed for child sex abuse

A Salford man has been jailed after an investigation into non-recent child sexual abuse.

Andrew Austin (03/11/1967), of Sumner Road, Irlam o’th Heights , has yesterday (Monday 29 July 2019) been sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to 26 years in prison. He previously pleaded guilty to-

• four counts of rape
• six counts of indecent assault
• two counts of indecency with a child
• one count of sexual assault

He will also have to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Between 1998 and 2004, at a number of properties in Salford, Austin sexually abused four victims who were aged between eight and 16 at the time.

In August 2018, relatives of one of the victims – along with a charity worker – came forward to police and a full investigation was launched with Austin arrested.

During police interview Austin denied all offences but admitted his crimes before the case went to trial.

Detective Constable Lyndsey Galbraith, of GMP’s Swinton district, said: “The sickening abuse suffered by Austin’s victims is unthinkable and we must not underestimate the bravery and courage it has taken them to come forward and speak out.

“Austin robbed his young victims of their childhood in the most cruel and despicable way and prison is the only place for a person like that

“I hope that this case goes to show that no matter long has passed, officers from Greater Manchester Police will always remain committed to pursuing justice and putting dangerous and perverted predators like Austin behind bars.

“I would plead with anyone who had suffered from this kind of abuse to please get the help and support they need by coming forward and speaking with us.”

Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims.

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.

You can call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or alternatively people can refer themselves to St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515, whether or not you want make a police report.

Survivors Manchester offers support and counselling for adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape, regardless of when the event happened. Contact 0161 236 2182.