Morecambe man jailed for sexually assaulting a young girl

Gary Wanless, 50, of Christie Avenue, Morecambe was sentenced after pleading guilty to assaulting a girl under 13

Gary Wanless
Published 17th Jun 2025
Last updated 17th Jun 2025

A Morecambe man has been jailed for 8 years for child sex offences.

On Friday 13th June at Preston Crown Court, Gary Wanless, 50, of Christie Avenue, Morecambe was sentenced after pleading guilty to assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration with a part of your body/a thing and non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15.

He sexually assaulted a girl when she was just 3-4 years old, and again when she was 14 years old.

The first offence, assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration with a part of your body/a thing, happened in the Morecambe area when the girl was 3-4 years old.

The second offence, non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl 13 to 15, also happened in the Morecambe area when the girl was 14 years old.

In total he was sentenced to 8 years in prison with a year on an extended licence. He was also given a 15 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and a 15 year restraining order. He was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

DC Kirsten Bell of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team, said:

“Gary has a clear sexual interest in children and I welcome the custodial sentence handed down to him. The victim in this case has been incredibly brave throughout the whole process.

“If you have been a victim of any sexual offence, please know that you will be listened to, your report will be investigated, and we will do everything we can to get you justice.”

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