A Warrington man who sexually abused a young girl in the town over several years has been jailed.
Raymond Hughes, of Thurston Close in Great Sankey, was charged with four counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13 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 74-year-old was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday 22 June 2022.
He was jailed for 11 years and four months and handed an additional year on licence.
The abuse began this century.
Earlier this year the victim told a family member what Hughes had subjected her to during her childhood.
The abuse included taking indecent photographs of the victim and making her watch pornography on his computer.
It 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 20 February.
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.
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.
