POULTON-LE-FYLDE MAN JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AND GROOMING
Two men have been brought to justice years after young girls were subjected to “calculated and devious” sexual abuse at their hands.Alex Hughes was able to avoid the consequences of his depraved actions for more than a decade, going on to become a casino manager and dad-of-five in the intervening period.One of his victims, Girl A, was just 11 when she first met Hughes, who was five years her senior, during his time in St Helens.
The court heard that Hughes and Ford targeted vulnerable children, grooming them for sexual abuse.
Girl A later described how she was manipulated and controlled by Hughes and others, saying: “The things I experienced as a child affect me in ways which continue to shape every part of my life.
While other girls were playing with their friends, enjoying the innocence of childhood, I was being taken advantage of.
My innocence was stolen from me far too early.”Girl A also detailed her experiences, stating: “It felt normal at the time, but now I see it for what it was.
They knew it was wrong and encouraged me to hide it from friends and family.
They were calculated, using manipulation to control me.
The idea of someone my age being involved with a child horrifies me.
It made me see things from a completely different perspective and realise just how wrong it was.
I want those responsible to be held accountable for their actions.
No child should ever go through what I did.
I know I’ll never get my childhood back, but I hope this measure gets some justice and shows that what happened to me matters.”Hughes, of Longfield Avenue in Poulton-le-Fylde, has no previous convictions for sexual offences.
His defense argued that he has changed since his teenage years, being responsible in his current life, managing in a casino and being a father to five children.
However, the court sentenced Hughes to three years and eight months in prison for his involvement in the abuse.
The judge noted grooming as a factor in his case, saying: “From kissing Girl A, your actions increased in seriousness.
She said she was scared the first time you made her put her hand on your penis.
There's no statutory definition of groomed.
It takes many forms so far as sexual offending is concerned.
If an older individual deliberately charms a child with the aim or hope for a sexual relationship, the inevitable conclusion is that the child is being groomed.
I do find in your case that grooming was a factor.” Hughes's crimes included four additional charges he admitted.
The court recognized the traumatic impact on Girl A and emphasized the importance of justice for victims of child sexual abuse.
