In 2022, the Offender Database recorded that Amanda Bywater—a grandmother from Widnes—and her ex-partner Philip Park—of Leigh—pleaded guilty to a depraved campaign of encouraging child sexual abuse. The investigation established that the pair engaged in a serial exchange of messages where they urged and assisted each other to commit sexual offences against an underage girl. The prosecution reported at Liverpool Crown Court that the two had initially denied the charges but changed their pleas to guilty at the last minute to avoid a full trial.
The investigation established that Bywater, 48, sent messages to Park, 37, explicitly encouraging him to engage in sexual activity with the child. Simultaneously, Park admitted to sending similar messages to Bywater, inciting her to carry out sexual strikes against the same victim. This identified a calculated and serial collaboration to bypass parental protection and violate the safety and human rights of a minor for their own perverted gratification.
MANIPULATIVE COLLUSION AND JUDICIAL FINDINGS
The court reported that the pair’s actions represented a profound betrayal of trust, particularly given Bywater’s role as a grandmother. The investigation established that the messages were “systematic and encouraging” in nature, designed to facilitate the digital and physical assault of the child. The prosecution reported that the judge firmly told the pair they would face immediate custodial sentences, as their actions identified them as high-risk predators who worked in tandem to exploit the vulnerable.
Judge-led proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court concluded in late 2022. For their actions in Widnes and Leigh and the nature of the serial child sexual abuse investigation reported, Amanda Bywater and Philip Park were sentenced to significant prison terms. The investigation established that both were legally mandated to sign the Sex Offenders Register and remain subject to strict statutory requirements to manage the ongoing risk they pose to children.
STATUS AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS
Based on the judicial records as of 2022:
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Encouraging or assisting in the commission of a child sex offence).
- Custodial Status: RELEASED ON LICENCE (In 2026, having served the custodial portions of their respective sentences).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active.
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barred List (Indefinite and permanent ban from any role involving children or regulated activity).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court; investigated by Cheshire Constabulary and Greater Manchester Police.
- Criminal Record: Collaborated to encourage the sexual abuse of a minor; Exchanged predatory messages; Nan and partner dynamic utilized to target a child; Jailed in 2022.
- Origin: Widnes, Cheshire (Bywater) and Leigh, Greater Manchester (Park).
MONITORING AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
Bywater and Park are managed as high-risk offenders under the statutory requirements of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in their respective regions. Due to the nature of their behaviour—specifically the serial and collaborative nature of their strikes and the use of digital communication to incite abuse—they are priorities for intensive forensic monitoring. Authorities reported that the 2022 conviction ensures both are permanently flagged on national databases, meaning any attempt to hold a position of trust or interact with children in Widnes, Leigh, or elsewhere is strictly blocked for the remainder of their lives.
As registered sex offenders, their details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that their behaviour identifies individuals who prioritised their own perverted gratification and mutual incitement over the safety and human rights of a child. Any failure by Bywater or Park to adhere to their notification requirements or licence conditions since their release will result in immediate police intervention to ensure the ongoing protection of the community from individuals who have violated the principles of human decency through child sexual abuse.
QUESTION – Given that a “Grandmother” used her position of trust to encourage the sexual abuse of a child, do you believe the law should legally mandate that any family member convicted of “Assisting Child Abuse” must receive a Mandatory Maximum Sentence with no consideration for mitigation?
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