Latest Offenders

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A man has been sentenced to more than seven years after sexually abusing a child in Runcorn.

Shaun Ashley, of Cotton Lane, Runcorn, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday 17 July.

The 37-year-old was previously found guilty of two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching and one count of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15.

The case began in 2021, when the victim reported incidents of sexual assault committed by Ashely on at least three occasions. The incidents took place in the Runcorn area of Cheshire between 2014 and 2021.

Ashley was subsequently arrested and interviewed in relation to the incidents. Following a thorough investigation, he was later charged with multiple offences but denied them. He was found guilty following a trial.

On top of his custodial sentence, Ashely is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must comply with a restraining order protecting the victim in this case. He must also sign the Sex Offender Register indefinitely.

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said:

“Firstly, I would like to commend the victim in this case for reporting what happened to her and for her subsequent bravery throughout the trial after Ashley refused to admit his heinous crimes.

“But the jury saw through his lies and I hope the fact that he is now subject to a lengthy spell behind bars will give her some sense of closure.

“I also hope it encourages anyone who has been a victim of sexual offences to please contact us. We will investigate all reports thoroughly with the needs and wishes of the victim as our main priority.”

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A sex offender who abused two boys and persuaded a third to send him an indecent image has been jailed for 18 years.

Billy Ingram, 31, befriended families in Cambridge before having unsupervised access to their children.

In August 2022, Ingram, who was already a registered sex offender, saw a woman he knew walking with her children. He began talking to her and followed her home.

The woman let him into her property and they continued talking until the early hours of the morning when she fell asleep.

The next morning, Ingram sat next to the woman’s young son and let the boy play on his mobile phone, before sexually assaulting him.

A few weeks later the child told his mother what had happened, and Ingram was arrested.

The subsequent investigation established Ingram had befriended several other families in Cambridge and had had unsupervised access to their children.

This unsupervised access represented a breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order he was given in 2017 as part of a separate investigation.

Officers also analysed two mobile phones belonging to Ingram and found hundreds of indecent images and videos of children, as well as additional prohibited content suggesting a sexual interest in minors.

Included in the content was video footage of Ingram sexually abusing a boy. Officers managed to identify the child and visited his home in the Greater Manchester area, where it was confirmed Ingram had stayed at the address at the time the videos were recorded.

Officers visited the home of another boy in West Mercia who was also identified from the content.

The boy described how Ingram had contacted him online via a computer game in 2020, when he was ten years old, and persuaded him to send an indecent image of himself.

Ingram, of Ongar Court, Cambridge, admitted two counts of sexual assault of a boy under 13 by touching, four of possessing indecent images of a children, one of causing or inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity and four breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Yesterday (22 July) at Cambridge Crown Court he was jailed for 18 years, with an additional eight years on licence. He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

DC Paul Evans said:

“Ingram is a devious sex offender who befriended families and manipulated his way into their homes specifically so he could prey on their children.

“I’d like to commend all the children involved who assisted us with the investigation and their families. Their bravery in talking about what happened to them has resulted in Ingram being brought to justice.”

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A 24-year-old man who groomed a teenage girl has been jailed.

Matthew Cai Pritchard of Dol Eithin, Caergeiliog, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Tuesday 22nd July after admitting to four counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of sexual communication with a child.

Pritchard, who was aged 18 to 19 at the time of the offences, messaged the girl on social media when she was aged between 13 to 16.

They then began to meet in person where he gave her alcohol before having sex with her.

During this time, he also made her pose for intimate photos.  

He was jailed for four years.

He was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order to protect the victim until further notice.

Detective Constable Sarah Jones said:

“Pritchard groomed and manipulated a vulnerable young girl when he was himself an adult.

“This experience has had a devastating impact on the victim’s life.

“She has been incredibly brave to report what happened to her and I hope this sentencing will provide her with the reassurance to move forward.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse to come forward. You will be listened to, supported, and safeguarded no matter how recent or how long ago it happened.”

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A SUSPENDED jail term has been handed to a Carlisle pensioner after he admitted sexually assaulting four female hospital workers.

John O'Neill, 78, committed the offences over five days last year, Carlisle's Rickergate court heard.

He was sentenced at the city’s Rickergate court.

The first three offences were committed on consecutive days, prosecutor Diane Jackson told the court. 

He entered guilty pleas to all four allegations. All four victims were working at The Cumberland Infirmary when the offences happened.

The defendant, of Lazonby Terrace, Carlisle, was sentenced after the Probation Service prepared a pre-sentence report, providing relevant background for the hearing.

Magistrates imposed an eight-week jail term, but they suspended this for a year. O’Neill was told he will be on the Sex Offender Register for the next seven years.

They said that the offending merited custody because the victims were performing a public service at the time when they were sexually assaulted.

They dismissed the suggestion of compensation.

This was because of the “limited means” of the defendant, and any sums would be derisory and could cause further distress, they ruled. The defendant’s guilty pleas were taken into account.

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A sex offender who filmed women using a public toilet is facing a lengthy prison sentence over his repeated "bizarre and troubling" voyeuristic activities.

Kurtis Mawson, now 24, was given a 25-month prison sentence at Durham Crown Court on March 1, last year, for offences committed in 2022 and 2023.

These included performing a sex act on himself in public while standing behind a female tourist taking a photo of Durham Cathedral and covertly filming women using a public toilet next to The Odeon Cinema in the city.

He was back before the court yesterday (Tuesday July 22) after admitting a further charge of voyeurism, in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which was put in place at the previous sentencing hearing, designed to help to curb his activities.

The new offences followed his arrest for again using a mobile phone to film people in female public toilets in Durham, on Saturday June 21, this year, during the licence period of the last sentence.

At the outset of what was to have been Mawson's latest sentencing hearing at the court, Robert Mochrie, representing the defendant, requested an update to a previous psychiatric report.

Mr Mochrie said the outcome may have an impact on the sentence passed on the defendant.

"His offending is so bizarre and troubling and a view has been taken that somebody needs to take a look at this."

Recorder Bryan Cox KC agreed to the request and said: "On the face of it, he's looking at a substantial custodial sentence."

Addressing Mawson, formerly of Willington, but appearing by video link to court from Holme House Prison, near Stockton, Recorder Cox told him: "I'm going to adjourn your case until September so that you can see a psychiatrist who will update a previous report on you.

"Co-operate with that psychiatrist in the preparation of that report.

"We'll see you back at this court for sentence on September 5 and, in the meantime, you will remain in custody."

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A SEXUAL offender has been jailed more than two decades after abusing young girls while he himself was a teenager.

Liverpool Crown Court head of the devastating impact that Andrew Eyre, of Burtonwood, has had on their lives.

The 39-year-old was sentenced on Friday after admitting multiple counts of indecent assault of a child and one of gross indecency with a child.

The offences occurred in the late 1990s and early 2000s in the Wirral area, explained Cheryl Mottram, prosecuting.

Eyre sexually abused two girls of around primary school age when he was a teenage youth himself.

A report was made to Merseyside Police by one of the victims in 2023, and she disclosed what had happened to her more than two decades previously.

During the course of the police investigation, a second victim gave an account of how she too was sexually abused by Eyre.

The court heard that neither victim understood what he was doing and how wrong it was due to their ages at the time.

It was said that the defendant told one of the victims that what happened between them was ‘our secret’.

Eyre was arrested by police in February last year and answered ‘no comment’ to questions put to him by officers during his interview.

In an impact statement, the first victim said: “I was so young at the time that I had no real understanding of what was happening.

“It has had a devastating impact on my mental health. I have had flashbacks, crippling anxiety, and nightmares. The impact of this is lifelong, and I still live with the consequences every day.

“It continues to shape my life and, no matter how hard I try to heal, it is etched in the foundations of who I am. I do not think I will ever have a normal life.”

The second victim also detailed the significant impact her experience had on her, including causing her to have low self-esteem.

The court heard that Eyre has no previous convictions.

It was said that the court was bound by the maximum sentencing powers available to a judge at the time the offences were committed, and that the court must also consider his age at the time.

Moreover, the court heard that some of his offending behaviour could be considered rape if it occurred in the present day.

In mitigation, Jim Smith, defending, said: “The defendant is extremely sorry for his criminal behaviour.

“Anything he says can never negate or subdue the lifelong scars they have suffered, and he appreciates the impact on their lives.”

Mr Smith put forward that his client was remorseful through his guilty pleas and that he himself was a youth and immature at the time.

It was said that more than two decades have passed since the offending took place, in which he has not committed any further offences, and that character references describe him as being a ‘kind, thoughtful, hard-working, and intelligent individual’.

Eyre has since forged a ‘highly specialist’ career in IT development, which has included him undertaking charity work.

“The offences were committed at a time of delayed emotional and sexual development. He suffered from depression at the time, feeling alone and with little in the way of friends,” Mr Smith added.

Before sentencing, recorder Jeremy Lasker said: “I have read letters of support from people who know you, and since the offending, you have become an adult, and there has been no further offending since your teenage years.

“Both of the victim impact statements have been read in court, and I have no doubt that your offending has had a lasting effect on both of their lives.

“The impact of this is lifelong, and they continue to struggle with life. The ripple effect of what you did goes much further.

“Having considered all matters, I am of the opinion that as a young person, you would have received a custodial sentence

Eyre, of Arundell Close in Burtonwood, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, of which he will serve half before being released on licence.

He must also sign the sex offender register for the rest of his life and abide by the terms of a sexual harm prevention order for the next five years.

In addition, the court approved indefinite restraining orders in respect of the two complainants.

Description

A violent abuser has been jailed for four years for subjecting his ex-partner to years of domestic and sexual abuse.

David Smith, 40, began his campaign of cruelty against then-partner Louise Sutherland-Knowles, 39, after they began their relationship in 2018.

However, Smith’s behaviour soon spiralled into abusive and controlling – before quickly becoming physical.

Smith would use manipulative tactics and threats to control Louise, despite having multiple affairs during the course of their relationship.

After ending their relationship in 2022, Smith went on to persistently and unwantedly text, call, and email Louise. After she ignored him, he would then turn up uninvited at her home address and to her place of work.

Louise’s mam became so concerned with the behaviour she was witnessing her daughter be subject to that she reported Smith to Northumbria Police for stalking.

This report would become the first of three investigations Louise would have to undergo for the crimes Smith committed against her.

In December 2022, Smith was charged with stalking.

However, within days, in a bid to see Louise, and despite strict bail conditions for the stalking offence, Smith scaled a six-foot fence to climb into her garden, carrying a large knife and breaking a window trying to enter the address.

He did this just before 2am as Louise slept in the house with her children. She was awoken to the sound of a thud – before Smith was spooked by a neighbour and ran away. He was rapidly arrested after Louise informed police.

The next day, Louise attended Middle Engine Lane police station where she disclosed that during their relationship, Smith had also sexually assaulted her.

She described how, on the evening of May 7, 2022, Smith had thrown his phone and pizza against a wall – later smashing some into her face.

He pinned her up against the wall and put his hands down her underwear and sexually assaulted her. 

Only a month later in February 2023, Smith pleaded guilty to stalking Louise and was handed a restraining order.

In September last year, Smith was charged with possession of a pointed article and criminal damage – in relation to the offence where he attended her address in the middle of the night. He appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on May 7, where he pleaded guilty to the offences.

In April 2025, following a complex investigation by the Force’s Safeguarding Department, Smith was also charged with assault on a female by penetration and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, following Louise’s final report.

Yesterday (July 21), Smith, of Brandling Court, North Shields, appeared once more at Newcastle Crown Court where he was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment after previously pleading guilty in relation to both the sexual, knife, and assault offences.

As part of his extended sentence, he will also spend a further three years on licence once he is released from prison and must serve at least two thirds of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Smith was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and was handed a six-year restraining order to protect Louise.

Following the sentencing, Louise has also made the courageous decision to waive her lifelong right to anonymity as a victim of a sexual offence and share her harrowing story in the hopes of showing people that abuse can take many forms.

She is encouraging anyone who has been affected to report to police and seek support.

In charge of the investigation was Detective Constable Leasa Banks, of Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department.

Speaking after Smith’s court appearance, she said: “David Smith has shown time and time again who he is – and that is a violent and abusive man who manipulates, becoming dangerous when he doesn’t get what he wants.

“I want to thank and praise Louise for a few things, but firstly, for reporting the offences to police – which she has now stated is the best thing she could’ve ever done.

“Now, thanks to her extreme bravery, and composure through years of investigations, the whole world now knows that Smith is a domestic abuser, a stalker, and a sex offender.”

Det Con Banks added: “Louise’s decision to waive her anonymity is an extremely courageous one. Whilst we would never expect any victim of any sexual offence to do this, we throw our full support behind anyone who’s experienced these heinous types of crimes – and will always help them in whatever way they need.

“We’ve now put Louise’s abuser before the courts, which has hopefully been able to provide her with a degree of closure – and we are now also providing her with the platform to tell her story in her own words.

“This is what we can achieve when we work with victims and help them hold their abusers to account.

“If you’ve experienced any form of abuse, whether domestic, sexual, or stalking – please let us know we can act for you just as we have for Louise here.”

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A RAPIST told a woman who didn’t want to have sex with him: “Actually, you’ll enjoy it in a minute.”

Michael Steer, 37, from Argoed, near Blackwood was found guilty by a jury following a trial of two counts of rape.

The defendant also said to her during one of the sexual assaults: “Don’t fight me.”

Heavy drinker Steer was told by Judge Celia Hughes: “You were abusing alcohol.”

She added that the conclusion of his probation report had stated that: “You have an inflated sense of self.

“You have a lack of respect of women and for their autonomy – you will have a long time in custody to consider your attitude towards women.”

Steer was jailed for six years and six months and will have to serve two-thirds of that sentence in prison before being released on licence.

Andrew Davies, prosecuting, told Newport Crown Court: “In the victim impact statement, the complainant said that the defendant left her feeling worthless and broken.

“She said she never thought anyone would believe her and that it had never happened and that they would take his word over hers.

“The victim felt relief when she reported it to the police.

“She says she still has flashbacks and that she found the whole court process stressful and it caused her anxiety.”

Peter Donnison representing Steer said: “Although there are two counts of rape I would ask that there are concurrent sentences as they are the same victim.

“This is a defendant with no previous convictions and the court should also take into account the three and a half year delay between the victim reporting the matter to the police and him being charged.”

His barrister added: “He was the full-time carer for his mother and she attended court throughout the proceedings.

“She is now being cared for by his sister.”

Judge Hughes told Steer: “She clearly didn’t want to have sex with you but you told her, ‘Don’t fight me.’

“On the other occasion you said: ‘Actually, you’ll enjoy it in a minute.’

“The rape lasted about 10 minutes.”

The defendant will have to register as a sex offender for an indefinite period and was made the subject of a 10-year restraining order not to contact her.

Description

A man has been jailed for 19 years after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences against three women.

Zephon Allen, aged 28, of Wilmington Close, Watford, was convicted at St Albans Crown Court earlier this year (20 March) of three counts of rape, and one count of digital penetration. The offences took place between 2021 and 2022 in Bishop’s Stortford, Hemel Hempstead and Watford.

He was remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing at St Albans Crown Court yesterday, Monday 21 July, where he was jailed for 19 years.

Hertfordshire Constabulary Investigator Gary Jackets said:

“Allen is a dangerous predator who deserves to be behind bars, having purposely targeted his three victims, building relationships with them before committing these offences – most of which took place when his victims were asleep or semi-conscious. Sex without consent is rape.

“All three victims have shown exceptional courage and strength throughout the whole process of this investigation; they all gave evidence at court, which would have been undoubtedly difficult having to discuss and relive these traumatic incidents that have understandably had a long-lasting impact on them but was absolutely vital in bringing Allen to justice.

“We know it can be hard to come forward to report incidents of sexual assault. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasise that we take all reports of sexual offences very seriously, and we will do all we can to ensure that victims are heard and supported, and that offenders are apprehended.”

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Mark Watson (22/03/1979), of Lowrey Terrace, Blackpool, admitted raping a woman in Bolton in April 2024.

He was arrested by Lancashire Police in Blackpool in April last year and admitted the charge at Manchester Crown Court on 17 February this year.

Today, Watson was sentenced to eight years in prison for rape at Bolton Crown Court.

Watson was additionally sentenced to two years in prison for a separate drugs conspiracy matter following an investigation by Lancashire Police.

The combined sentencing means that Watson has been sentenced to 10 years in total.

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A former employee of the Ministry of Defence has lost his job and been placed on the sex offenders register after sexually assaulting a colleague at an airbase Christmas party.

Mitchell Tarbit, who describes himself online as having previously worked at RAF Lossiemouth as an exercise rehab instructor, appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court and was sentenced for touching the bottom of a woman against her will.

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A man who sexually abused a young child in Southampton has been jailed.

Brian Wills, 51, assaulted the girl – who was under the age of 10 – on 20 July last year. Following this assault police were called.

The girl told officers that she had been abused by Wills on a number of other occasions between July 2023 and July 2024 in Southampton.

Wills, of Hopes Avenue in Dalmellington, East Ayrshire, was subsequently charged with four counts of assault by touching, which he pleaded guilty to at Southampton Crown Court on 2 June this year.

Appearing at the same court on Monday 21 July, he was jailed for 3 years and 10 months.

DC Gemma Boyle, from the Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT), said: “This was a shocking series of offences against a young girl, who has been so incredibly brave in talking about what happened to her.

“It takes such courage to do so, particularly at such a young age, and this must not be understated.

“Sexual offences involving children often have a devastating and lifelong impact on victims, and can be some of the most complex and horrific cases for police to investigate.

“CAIT are a dedicated and specially trained team of officers and staff who are committed to investigating child abuse, bringing to justice anyone who harms a child, and providing support to those affected.

“I hope the outcome of this investigation can give confidence to those who have been abused and are suffering in silence that they are not alone, and we will do everything in our power to target those responsible.”

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A child rape victim whose abuser has been jailed for three-and-a-half years told a court that after decades of feeling shame and guilt, she was able to "find my voice and fight for the truth".

In a moving statement read at the sentencing hearing of paedophile Gary Pallin, the woman described how his deviant conduct had not only robbed her of her innocence and dignity but also her life.

She said the effect of the sexual abuse she suffered was "so overwhelming" that it impacted her education, relationships and health, both physically and mentally.

But having given evidence at Pallin's trial at Maidstone Crown Court earlier this year, the woman said she felt pride at finally speaking out and achieving justice.

Pallin, of Caesar Avenue, Kingsnorth in Ashford, had denied a number of sexual offence charges – including rape – but was found guilty by a jury of them all.

Prosecutor Amy Nicholson detailed how the defendant was a teenager at the time he committed the crimes.

Although the victim confided in several people over the years, it was not until 2021 that police became involved and Pallin was arrested.

As well as giving a 'no comment' interview and denying the offences once charged, he also accused the victim through his legal team at trial of making up the allegations.

Furthermore, the packed courtroom at his sentencing hearing was told that he has continued to "vehemently" maintain his innocence since his conviction in May.

But on jailing the now 58-year-old, Judge Gareth Branston said that despite his age at the time, Pallin must have realised he was causing harm and yet "carried on regardless" for his own sexual gratification.

Referring to the assertion that the victim had lied about the abuse, the judge told an impassive Pallin: "During the trial, (the victim) was appalled by the suggestion made by your defence that this was a fiction.

"She said 'Why would I make it up?' and, of course, she didn't make it up. She buried it for many years, and counselling made her realise she didn't have to bury it any longer.

"I have read and listened to her victim impact statement. She felt the worst thing that could happen was people finding out.

"She spent years pretending nothing happened and squashed her feelings.”

Highlighting the psychological consequences of the abuse, the judge continued: "She simply wants you to be accountable for your actions so you can feel the guilt and shame.

"She notes you show no genuine remorse, and she has had to go through the ordeal of a trial.

But she is rightly proud now that she has found her voice and fought for the truth."

In her impact statement, the victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, described how she was "exploited and traumatised" by her abuser, and to this day continues "to grieve for the life I lost and the life I should have had".

I would feel shame, guilt and fear that didn't belong to me – now I feel pride that I found my voice and fought for the truth...
"I would feel shame, guilt and fear that didn't belong to me", she wrote. "Now I feel pride that I found my voice and fought for the truth."

In deciding the appropriate punishment, Judge Branston explained that he had to sentence Pallin according to his age at the time.

He also accepted that he may not have "fully appreciated" the effect of his behaviour or been "fully capable" of understanding the stress and pain caused.

The court heard that Pallin had lived a law-abiding life otherwise, and provided significant care for his mother who, along with his wife and many others, had written 15 references describing him as a "decent, honest, trustworthy, kind and considerate" man.

This prompted Judge Branston to comment that there were "many positive attributes" to his character and that he had lived an "exemplary life" in adulthood.

But referring to a pre-sentence report prepared by probation, he added: "It is disappointing, to say the least, that you continue to vehemently deny the offences.

"You have demonstrated no acceptance of responsibility, no empathy for your victim and no insight into the impact of your offending."

Pallin, who mouthed "I love you" to those sitting in the public gallery in support, will be subject to indefinite sex offender notification requirements on his release.

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A Kuwaiti migrant has been jailed after forcefully kissing a suicidal woman in the street when she refused to accompany him back to his asylum hotel, a court has heard.

Zayed Alanzi, 26, approached the woman in Hull and would not take no for an answer as he harassed her in the early hours of April 28.

The woman later told magistrates he was a complete stranger who left her feeling violated. He allegedly grabbed her by the cheeks, squeezed her face, kissed her on the mouth and forced his tongue inside, before she managed to wrestle him off. The incident reportedly took place near the Royal Hotel in Hull, where Alanzi was staying at the time.

Referring to a vulnerable teenager for whom she said she had acted as a decoy, the victim added: It was either that or he would do it to the other one. He asked me to go up a road. I said No. Im going that way, and thats when the police turned up.

During his trial, Alanzi who is married denied the offence and claimed through an Arabic interpreter that he had only tried to help the woman to her feet. He also claimed she had consented to the kiss.

However, magistrates rejected his defence and sentenced him to 12 months in prison. He was also placed on the sex offenders register and ordered to pay 187 in costs.

He is expected to serve less than half of his sentence.

It is understood that deportation proceedings may now be initiated against him following his conviction.

The case was first reported by The Sun, which said the woman told the court she had made it clear several times that she wanted to be left alone. The tabloid also reported that the assault left her deeply shaken.

Alanzi had been living at the hotel while his asylum application was being processed.

His conviction comes amid growing concern over the use of hotels to house asylum seekers, especially in city centres.

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A PREDATOR who preyed upon a young child and subjected him to serious sexual offences has been locked up.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Christopher Hindley ‘stole the innocence’ of the victim, with what happened ‘significantly impacting all aspects of his life’.

The 56-year-old defendant, of Culcheth, was charged with 17 child sex offences after the victim came forward about what happened to him.

Putting the complainant through the ordeal of a five-day trial, Hindley, who has been involved with the Lowton 1st Scout Group for many years, was convicted by a jury of offences including indecent assault, gross indecency, and attempted buggary.

He appeared back before Liverpool Crown Court to be sentenced yesterday, Monday, where he was handed a jail term of more than a decade.

During the trial, it was said by Siôn ap Mihangel, prosecuting, that the abuse took place over a number of years in Warrington in the late 1980s and into the 1990s.

The victim was younger than 10 when the manipulation began, and Hindley was aged over 20.

It was said that the defendant began by touching the boy in a sexual manner, and that the victim was too young to appreciate that what was happening was wrong.

“You made it seem to him as normal behaviour. He had been manipulated by you,” said judge Katherine Pierpoint, who sentenced him.

Hindley’s behaviour escalated to performing sex acts on the boy and inciting him to do the same in return.

Referencing some of the actions Hindley initiated, Judge Pierpoint said: “It did not succeed, but not for want of trying what would now be termed rape of a child.”

Even though some of the offences would now be charged as rape, it was said that the court was bound by the sentencing powers available to a judge at the time the offences were committed.

“You moved on, started a relationship, got married, had children, and worked – your life continued,” Judge Pierpoint continued.

“But the victim was left, as a young boy, damaged by what you did to him over those years.”

In an impact statement, the victim said: “The abuse I suffered has had a significant impact on me. It has eaten me up for years and years.

“I felt ashamed and dirty, and that I had been taken advantage of.

“I felt that I could not speak out, and I was worried about being bullied and of people judging me. I tried to put it at the back of my mind, and it lay dormant for some time.

“I tried to deal with it by myself, but this was difficult. I wanted to courage to speak out, but I did not feel able to. I feel like the defendant stole my innocence.”

It was said that the victim has suffered with his mental health for a number of years, and that he can feel ‘low and numb’.

“I was anxious and scared about the trial, but I wanted to face my demons. I needed to do this for myself as I would never be able to heal,” he added.

“I was so happy when I heard the guilty verdict as I felt heard, which is massive for me. It is a step to getting back on track and beginning the healing process.”

An impact statement was also read out by the mum of the victim, who said: “I cannot believe he has been through this abuse and I did not know. I am heartbroken about this.

“I should have been there for him and I feel guilty about this, even though I did not know about what was happening. I am distraught.”

Hindley appeared in court without legal representation due to ‘reasons beyond his control’ relating to financial aid.

It was said at a previous court hearing that he has approached the Court of Appeal to appeal his conviction, and it was said during his sentencing hearing that he continues to maintain his innocence.

Representing himself, he said: “I understand that the court must sentence me based on the jury’s verdict.

“I have complied fully with my bail conditions and have remained co-operative with the court process throughout.”

He referenced his lack of any previous convictions and said that his incarceration would have a significant impact on his family, while highlighting positive character references by people who ‘continue to support him’.

Before sentencing, Judge Pierpoint said: “You stole his innocence, and what happened continues to affect him now, in all aspects of his life.

“He is a brave man who stood up to you and gave evidence against you. He has now been heard and believed, and I hope this means there is some closure, and he can start to heal.

“The effect of this type of sexual offending not only has a great impact on the victim of such offending, but others as well.

“His mother feels guilty that she did not know what was happening at the time. The only person in this courtroom who should feel guilty is you.

“In my judgement, this offending is so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence can be justified.”

Hindley, of Pendle Gardens in Culcheth, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with an extended licence period of a year on his release.

He will serve two-thirds of the 12 years before his case is referred to the Parole Board to consider if he is safe to be released to serve the remainder of the sentence, plus an additional year, on licence.

The defendant must also sign the sex offender register for life on his release from custody.