Conrad Asa Pritchard

A 22-year-old man from Salford has been imprisoned for sexually assaulting a young child, an incident that occurred during a house party after he had been drinking. Conrad Asa Pritchard, residing in Isaac Close, targeted the four-year-old girl to satisfy what police described as his 'appalling urges', despite later offering an implausible excuse for his actions.

The assault took place at a house party in Salford, where Pritchard had been consuming alcohol at a nearby pub beforehand. According to reports from the Manchester Evening News, the girl's mother discovered Pritchard partially undressed, naked from the waist up, and lying next to the child, feigning sleep. This shocking scene unfolded amid what should have been a social gathering, highlighting the predatory nature of the offence.

Following his arrest by Greater Manchester Police, Pritchard claimed to officers that he believed the victim was the 18-year-old babysitter, an explanation dismissed as 'absurd' by Detective Constable Paul Davies. DC Davies, speaking on behalf of the force, stated: 'Pritchard had targeted the girl to satisfy his appalling urges... he is now where he deserves to be.' This case underscores the severity of child sexual offences and the importance of vigilance in community settings.

Pritchard appeared at Manchester Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to the charge of sexual assault. The court imposed a custodial sentence of 32 months, reflecting the gravity of the crime and the vulnerability of the victim. The prosecution's case, supported by witness testimony from the mother and police evidence, left no doubt as to Pritchard's culpability.