A man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for historical sexual offences committed against 4 children in Merseyside.

Graham Goodchild, 82, of Firtree Way, in Southampton, denied the offences but following a trial he was found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court on:- Tuesday, 11 June 2024 and jailed today:- Monday, 23 September 2024, for 17 counts of sexual assault and an attempted sexual assault. Goodchild will serve a minimum of 24 years in prison.

The offences against the 4 male victims occurred in the 1960s and early 1970s, during which time he was working as a Night Superintendent at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

The majority of the sexual assaults occurred within parks, the homes of the victims or at Goodchild’s home in Merseyside, with 1 victim being abused at the hospital.

As well as a prison sentence, Goodchild will be required to sign the Sex Offender Register for life.

Detective Constable Jason Banks, who led the investigation, said:- “Goodchild is clearly 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 truly horrific. I’d like to thank the victims for their immense courage and strength they’ve shown 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.

There is a lot of support available from specialist officers within Merseyside Police and through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service 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.