Perverted Sunderland grandad subjected victim to seven-year ordeal

A grandad exposed himself and performed an indecent act in front of a child as part of a seven-year campaign of shame, a court has been told.
Sunderland Magistrates' Court.Sunderland Magistrates' Court.
Sunderland Magistrates' Court.

The act was intended to be seen by an adult, who had been subject to 68-year-old Richard Ganley’s disgusting antics for a number of years, Sunderland magistrates heard.

But magistrates were told that aside from the distress caused to the adult victim he had targeted, a young child also saw what happened and was left distressed and unable to fully tell police what happened.

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Prosecutor Laura Lax said: “The defendant faces one charge. However, the complainant provided a statement that he had exposed himself to them over a period of seven years.”

Miss Lax said the victim described Ganley exposing his genitals and performing an indecent act.

On the date of the charge, Ganley had been outdoors when the young child called out to say they had seen what he was doing.

“Police tried to speak to the child, who was very upset,” Miss Lax said. “Officers could not get a full account because the child was so distressed.”

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Ganley, of Nicholson Close, Hendon, pleaded guilty to intentionally exposing his genitals, intending that someone would see them and be caused alarm or distress.

The court heard he has one previous conviction, for burglary, dating back to 1985.

Brian Chapman, defending, said: “He can’t really come up with an explanation as to why he did it, but he accepts that he did it.

“It has had a devastating effect on him.

“Mr Ganley, only this year, recovered from a bout of stomach cancer, which he is now in remission for.

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“There is a possibility of it coming back, and now he’s gone and destroyed what remains of his life through his actions.”

Ganley was sentenced to 18 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, and was told to sign on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years.

He will have to take part in 60 days of rehabilitation activity and pay £100 compensation, £85 costs and £115 surcharge.