CHRISTIAN NIVEN OF STACKSTEADS JAILED FOR ABDUCTION AND ROBBERY NEAR BURNLEY AND BACUP

In a case that has drawn significant attention from the local community, Christian James Niven, a resident of Osborne Terrace in Stacksteads, was sentenced to prison after admitting to charges of child abduction and other criminal offenses. The incident, which took place in July 2014, involved Niven taking a 14-year-old girl away from her home without her parents' knowledge, an act that ultimately led to his arrest and subsequent conviction.

According to court proceedings at Burnley Crown Court, Niven and the young girl were known to each other and reportedly had a relationship. The court was informed that the girl only returned home after police located her with Niven. During police interrogation, Niven initially denied any involvement in taking her away, claiming he 'barely knew her' and that he had not gone away with her. However, this account changed dramatically when authorities presented CCTV footage showing Niven and the girl together. Confronted with this evidence, Niven altered his story, admitting to the events depicted in the images.

The police investigation was initiated after the girl was reported missing by her family. Despite extensive searches, none of her relatives or friends knew her whereabouts during the time she was missing. The court heard that while there was no physical force or abduction in the traditional sense—since the girl consented to the events—the situation was still serious due to her age and the distress caused to her family. Judge Simon Newell emphasized the emotional toll such incidents take, stating, “It’s accepted by the crown there was no abduction in the sense you dragged her away, as she fully consented to everything that went on. Nevertheless, you knew her actual age, her family were distressed and searches were under way. There are sometimes awful consequences of young girls like this going missing and that causes considerable distress.”

Defence lawyer John Harrison acknowledged the gravity of the situation but pointed out that the incident was less severe than typical abductions. He argued that the relationship was consensual and that Niven did not spend the entire weekend with the girl. Harrison also highlighted that the contact was sporadic and that Niven’s actions, while inappropriate, did not involve force or coercion. He added that the case was complicated by concerns for the girl’s well-being and the distress caused to her family.

In addition to the abduction charge, Niven, who has a criminal record with 21 convictions for 41 offences, pleaded guilty to a separate incident involving an attempted robbery. On December 21 of the previous year, in Bacup town centre, Niven approached a man at around 1am and demanded his mobile phone, saying, “dude, give me your phone.” When the victim refused, Niven threw a punch that clipped the man’s ear. He then attempted another punch but missed before fleeing the scene. Police identified Niven through CCTV footage and a video identification parade.

Furthermore, Niven admitted to stealing a crate of lager from a Coop store in Waterfoot. The court sentenced him to two years and six months in prison for the combined offenses. Additionally, he was issued a restraining order that will remain in effect until April 2015, restricting his contact with certain individuals and further emphasizing the seriousness of his criminal behavior.