Two men from the Wigan area have been sentenced to a combined total of 23 years’ imprisonment at Manchester Crown Court after being found guilty of subjecting a 14-year-old boy to sustained sexual abuse between 2005 and 2007.
Stewart Knowles, of Rylands Street, Wigan, and Andrew Lord, of Vicarage Road, Orrell, appeared before the court for sentencing on Friday 24 July 2026 following an inquiry conducted by Greater Manchester Police.
The prosecution detailed that between 2005 and 2007, Knowles was serving as the Captain of a local Boys’ Brigade company in Wigan. He used his position of leadership, authority, and trust within the youth organisation to groom and target the survivor, who was a member of the Boys’ Brigade aged between 13 and 15 years old at the time.
The offending escalated to repeated penetrative and non-penetrative sexual assaults. During this period, Knowles coordinated with Andrew Lord—who held no official connection to the youth group—arranging for Lord to attend the store cupboard of a Wigan primary school to participate in the sexual abuse of the child.
Following an extensive investigation by Greater Manchester Police, both defendants denied the accusations, forcing the survivor to give evidence during a contested trial at Manchester Crown Court.
The jury rejected their denials, finding Knowles guilty of 18 counts of penetrative and non-penetrative sexual activity with a male child, and convicting Lord of four counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child.
In an extensive and powerful victim personal statement read to the court, the survivor detailed the lifelong trauma caused by the abuse:
“When I was 14, I was sexually abused by Stuart Knowles and Andrew Lord. At the time, I was a child and was unable to understand, prevent, or properly process what was happening to me. The abuse caused me fear, confusion, shame, and distress. The actions of both perpetrators have had a profound and lasting effect on my life. The abuse affected my emotional wellbeing, my sense of safety, and my ability to trust others. I have experienced anxiety, depression, flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, difficulties with relationships, loss of confidence. This relentless abuse has affected my childhood, trust and my life. Instead of feeling safe and protected, I lived with fear and emotional pain. As I grew older, the impact continued. I have struggled with suicide along with other members of my family who have also been deeply traumatised with the horrific events that took place when I should have been in someone’s trust and care… The abuse changed the way I see myself and the world around me. It has affected my ability to feel safe, trust people, and move through life without the burden of what happened. The harm caused by the actions of both perpetrators cannot be measured only by the abuse itself. The effects have remained with me long after the abuse ended and continue to influence my life today.”
Passing sentence on 24 July 2026, the Crown Court judge highlighted the gross breach of trust committed against a vulnerable child. Knowles was handed an immediate custodial term of 16 years’ imprisonment. Lord was sentenced to an immediate term of seven years’ imprisonment.
The court further directed that both men remain subject to lifelong notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register, imposed indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, and barred both individuals permanently from working with children or vulnerable groups.
Under the provisions of Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, all child victims and complainants connected to criminal proceedings are protected by automatic, lifelong statutory anonymity. Publishing, broadcasting, or disseminating any details, names, addresses, educational facilities, or photographs capable of leading to public identification is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Stewart Knowles stood convicted of:
18 counts of penetrative and non-penetrative sexual activity with a male child
Andrew Lord stood convicted of:
Four counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child
Sentencing outcome and statutory measures:
Stewart Knowles: 16 years’ immediate custody
Andrew Lord: Seven years’ immediate custody
Indefinite mandatory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for both offenders under the Sexual Offences Act 2003
Indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Orders (SHPOs)
Permanent barring from working with children or vulnerable adults (Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists)
Strict post-custodial statutory licence supervision conditions enforceable upon release from custody
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