84-YEAR-OLD SKELMERSDALE MAN JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES
Update 19/12/2026: Brian Sheridan, from Skelmersdale, died at HMP Liverpool on Boxing Day, aged 85.———————————————————————— A paedophile is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison after subjecting a young girl to years of horrific abuse.
Brian Sheridan paid his victim to perform vile acts and incited her to have sex with another man.
The 84-year-old, of Birch Green in Skelmersdale, was convicted of 18 child sex offences by a jury.
He sexually abused the girl on dozens of occasions, beginning when she was only six years old.
Sheridan also paid his victim, forced her to watch pornography, and coerced her into having sex with an adult male.
He was found to have kept highly sexualised photographs on his walls and encouraged other children to dress in 'sexualised costumes.'The court heard that Sheridan exhibited disturbing behaviour toward other children as well, encouraging them to dress in sexualised outfits.
The judge highlighted his lack of remorse, stating he had shown 'no shred of regret, remorse or empathy.'According to the prosecution, Sheridan's actions caused significant trauma to his victim, who said: 'I wanted to curl up into a hole and wither away into nothing.
It broke me and I became a shell of the little girl I used to be.
I didn't have a choice, and because of him I never will.' She also described how Sheridan's abuse has negatively impacted her daily life, including her reactions to certain smells, foods, and everyday activities.
During the trial, Sheridan's defence acknowledged that he continues to deny responsibility.
His lawyer noted that this would be his first time in custody at age 84, and that he would face significant difficulties coping with prison life.
Sheridan was sentenced to 16 years in prison with an additional year on license and is required to sign the sex offenders' register for life.
He will be eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence.
Sentencing judge Garrett Byrne stated: 'These counts encompass 31 separate incidents of abuse, but I have no doubt that there were many more.
It was clear from the evidence that you engaged in extensive sexual grooming of children.' The judge emphasised Sheridan’s lack of remorse and denial of his offending, remarking that his behaviour was indicative of a pattern of extensive abuse.
