A child rapist forced a girl to watch a vile video on his computer, a court heard.
Raymond Hughes, of Thurston Close in Great Sankey, was jailed after being charged with four counts of sexually assaulting a girl after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, June 22. His victim was a then 13-year-old girl, who he started abusing at the beginning of this century.
The 74-year-old was charged with sexually assaulting the girl by penetration, one count of taking indecent images of a child, one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of causing a child to watch sexual activity. The victim told her family about the abuse she suffered earlier this year.
READ MORE: 'Scouse lad' tries his luck dressed as a woman to get into Glastonbury
The abuse was reported to the police in February and an investigation was launched by Warrington Local Policing Unit (LPU). Hughes was arrested at his home on Sunday, February 20.
The property was subsequently searched and a number of items were seized, including Hughes’ computer, cameras and memory cards. Indecent images of the victim were found on one of the cards.
Hughes admitted abusing the victim when he was interviewed by officers in custody. He was jailed for 11 years and four months and handed an additional year on licence.
Detective Constable Lauren Pedley, who led the investigation at Warrington LPU, said: “Raymond Hughes sexually abused his victim over several years when she was a young child. Being subjected to sexual abuse affects people in the most profound way, and I would like to thank the victim for the courage she showed in disclosing what Hughes subjected her to during her childhood.
"Whilst she will never be able to forget about what happened to her, I hope the fact that he is now behind bars facing the consequences of his actions provides the victim with some closure and enables her to begin to move forward with her life.”
On top of his custodial sentence, Hughes was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and handed an indefinite restraining order banning him from contacting the victim in any way, either directly or indirectly. He also has to adhere to the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and pay a £120 victim surcharge.
DC Pedley added: “I hope this case and the significant custodial sentence that Hughes has received encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward and report them to us. Cheshire Constabulary takes any allegation of sexual offences extremely seriously, no matter how long ago they relate to, as this case shows.
"Any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority. Victims should never feel ashamed to talk about what they have been subjected to.
“They will receive the help and support they need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside, and all victims of sexual offences have the right to anonymity for life.”
Advice on identifying signs of sexual abuse is on the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children website. Sexual offences can be reported via the Cheshire Constabulary website or by calling 101.
They can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers, via 0800 555 111 or the Crimestoppers website.
British Airways staff to strike and here's what it means for summer holidays
Road blocked as teens 'throw bricks and slate' off former bingo hall roof
Man suffers bleed on brain after being punched in Ruby Blues
Teen who 'plagued' area banned from riding bikes and swearing
Baby who died after feed 'will always be the brightest star'
