Man from Stockport jailed for five years for sexual offences against young children when he worked as a climbing instructor
Alan Ellinson, a former climbing instructor from Stockport, has been sentenced to five years in prison for sexual offences against young children. The offences occurred between 2013 and 2015 while he operated his business, Rope Race, in Marple. Ellinson was found guilty of three counts of indecent exposure and four counts of inciting a child under 13 in sexual activity. He has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The case came to light after a victim disclosed the abuse to her mother, who reported it to the NSPCC.
Alan Ellinson, the former owner of a family climbing school in Marple, was jailed for five years at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Thursday after a jury found he used sweets to lure children into touching him sexually during weekend classes.
The 68-year-old, of Towers Road, Poynton, must serve at least 30 months behind bars, was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and given a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order for offences committed between 2013 and 2015 against four youngsters aged 10 to 14. Ellinson ran Rope Race from 1993 until the centre closed in September 2023, teaching six- to 14-year-olds on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.
Victims told police the instructor kept sweets in his pockets and invited them to help themselves, only to find his exposed penis when they reached in; others saw him with his genitals protruding above his waistband. The abuse came to light when one girl confided in her mother, who contacted the NSPCC, triggering the 2021 investigation. Ellinson denied all charges, branding the children “vindictive and feral” and telling officers he “hated his job”, but was convicted of three counts of indecent exposure and four counts of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
Detective Constable Lucy Williams praised the victims’ courage and urged anyone still suffering in silence to come forward. Support is available 24 hours a day from Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515, Greater Manchester Rape Crisis on 0161 273 4500, and Survivors Manchester on 0161 236 2182.
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