UPDATE: Pendlebury has now been arrested. (read here)
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are currently investigating Rick Pendlebury for illegally breaching the anonymity of a rape victim. This anonymity, granted under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1976, is a legal safeguard provided to victims of certain sexual offences for life.
People who allege they are victims of certain sexual offences receive lifelong anonymity. It is a criminal offence to publish the complainant’s identity or any information that might lead to the complainant being identified.
If found guilty, Pendlebury could face up to six months in prison, particularly due to the aggravating factors in this case where he publicly made malicious untrue sexual allegations against the victim.
Pendlebury vindictively posted the victim’s full name on social media and linked it to her anonymous social media account. Pendlebury knew during his time working at the Maggie Oliver Foundation that the anonymous account was the victim’s, which she uses to anonymously campaign as a victim of rape and to raise awareness for other victims of rape.
Pendlebury, who is a disgraced former GMP officer, was previously dismissed from GMP for gross misconduct, yet he managed to secure a prominent position as the Head of Safeguarding at the Maggie Oliver Foundation, raising significant questions about the foundation’s vetting process. In this role, Pendlebury had unfettered access to the confidential data of sexual abuse survivors.
Concerns About Vetting and Safeguarding Failures
The situation is further compounded by warnings reportedly given to the Maggie Oliver Foundation in early 2023 about the risks posed by Pendlebury after he was caught making unauthorised referrals of the foundation’s rape survivors to an un-regulated and non-professionally qualifed business.
Maggie Oliver assured the survivors that the foundation had no official (or any other) connection with the law firm and that Pendlebury had acted independently without the foundation’s authority. However, in a surprising and controversial move, the foundation promoted Pendlebury to the position of Head of Safeguarding.
A History of Data Breaches
Maggie Oliver was fully aware that Pendlebury had been dismissed from GMP for gross misconduct involving a serious data breach. Yet, instead of prioritising the safety and well-being of survivors, she placed Pendlebury in a high-trust role. This decision raises serious concerns about her judgment and the foundation’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
Adding to the controversy, the Maggie Oliver foundation is currently facing legal action over a data breach committed by Pendlebury during his employment at the Foundation. This breach reportedly involves the same victim that led to Pendleburys demise from the Foundation and one of the reasons Pendlebury has gone on to reveal the identity of the vulnerable victim of rape.
Ongoing Police Investigation
GMP’s investigations into Pendlebury is underway, leaving questions about how someone with such a track record was allowed to occupy a role with access to sensitive survivor information. The case underscores the importance of rigorous vetting processes and a survivor-first approach in organisations handling such vulnerable individuals.
The victim, who is still a supported survivor of the Maggie Oliver Foundation has directly contacted Maggie herself, who commented that she was ‘horrified’ by what she has seen (the breach) stating that it should be reported to the police.
Maggie confirmed that Rick is “contractually and legally bound by strict confidentiality terms from his old employment” and that she was making contact with the Foundation lawyers.
Maggie promised to contact the victim later that day but has failed to do so. The vicitim is distraught she has been identified by an ex-employee of the Foundation.
Rather than care for and contact the victim, Maggie has created an article on the Foundations website, promoting their services and boasting about the number of survivors they have helped (some 4,000 sh claims), but this shows how many vulnerable victims personal data and identities that Pendlebury has had access to. Pendlebury has now lost two jobs in positions of trust where he breached personal data.
Maggie Oliver is invited to comment
I am aghast at what I just read ; it is twisted, sick and vindictive in the extreme. Pendlebury deserves a custodial sentence – actual imprisonment not the suspended version. Pendlebury knew exactly what he was doing legally and the repercussions in this. Thoughts are with the victim in this.
How was he ever allowed to work at a vulnerable persons charity? Better vetting is needed. Those poor victims need public reassurance from this charity.