Amid a deathly silence, the crowd that filled the gallery within the  Crown Court at the Manchester Assizes all waited with baited breath as  to what sentence would ultimately be handed down to perhaps one of the  most callous and cold hearted men to ever stand in front of his  Lordship,  Mr. Justice Branson.

With great indignation and under deep emotion, Mr. Branson began his passing down of his sentence.

“The story we have just heard is the most horrible to which I have ever  listened – a cold, calculated and fiendish attempt to be avenged upon  your wife through this unfortunate little girl.  I am afraid no  punishment that I can inflict upon you is adequate for your crime, but  there is a maximum I can give, and I intend to give it.  The sentence of  the court is that you go to penal servitude for life.”

And with these damning words, 32 year old, John Whalley would be led from the dock and sent to the waiting cells down below.