Victim of ex-leader of Boys' Brigade and co-defendant delivers powerful statement

Stewart Knowles has faced justice two decades on18:35, 24 Jul 2026A former leader of the Boys' Brigade carried out vile sexual abuse against a boy.‌Stewart Knowles has faced justice two decades on, as his victim bravely revealed the toll his ordeal has taken. The man, a teenager when he was abused in the 2000s, said he was left considering suicide.‌Knowles, 62, was found guilty of 18 counts of penetrative and non-penetrative sexual activity with a boy between the ages of 13 and 15 years, Greater Manchester Police said. He was Captain of the Boys' Brigade in Wigan, when his victim was a member of the Christian youth organisation.‌Click here to hear the latest from Manchester's courts in our newsletterKnowles was jailed for 16 years. Another man, Andrew Lord, also 62, was found guilty of fou