16 years later, sex offender is jailed

A man who fled to Australia to escape sex assault charges more than a decade ago has been brought to justice.

Andrew McDonough, 45, of no fixed address, admitted a number of sexual offences, committed in Rochdale, including sexual assault and rape.

He was sentenced to fourteen years in prison at Manchester Crown Court Crown Square on Friday (27 March).

In 1993 police received a complaint from a girl, who was about 10 at the time, reported that she had been sexually assaulted by McDonough.

Before he was due to stand trial he fled to Australia.

McDonough fled as police received another report of serious sexual assault and rape by another woman, who was 26 at the time. The offences related to sexual assault and rape when she was a young girl.

McDonough was extradited from Australia last year and finally admitted what he had done.

Detective Sergeant Karen Siddall, from the Public Protection Investigation Unit at Rochdale, said: "McDonough is a sick individual who put his victims through the most horrendous ordeal.

"He knew what he had done and, as he was about to face the reality of his crimes, fled to other side of the world.

"While it has been an extremely lengthy wait for his victims I am pleased he has finally been brought to justice.

"He will now spend a very long time behind bars where he will have plenty of time to reflect on the terrible things he has done."

Anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault can contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050 or 999 in an emergency. GMP has specially trained officers in place to provide a first class response to victims and help support them through the criminal justice process.

St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester, can also be contacted on 0161 276 6515. This provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them either as a self-referral or via Greater Manchester Police.