CHRISTOPHER FIDDLER FROM CARLISLE AND UPPERBY SENTENCED FOR ABUSING GIRL AT LOCAL FUNFAIR

In a case that has shocked the local community, Christopher Fiddler, a resident of Carlisle and Upperby, has been convicted and sentenced for the serious abuse of a young girl. The incident dates back to when Fiddler was a teenager, and the victim was approximately six years old. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the abuse, which Fiddler committed over a period of time during her early childhood.

Fiddler, now 29 years old, was found guilty of five counts of indecent assault against the girl. The assaults occurred when he was around 15 years old, and the girl was just a young child. The court heard that Fiddler had built his life around working at funfairs, having joined the industry a decade ago, after his offending had ceased. This connection to the funfair industry is particularly notable given the context of the case.

The trial, which lasted five days in February, included testimony that the girl’s family was aware of the allegations at the time. However, they chose to resolve the matter privately, agreeing not to involve law enforcement if Fiddler wrote a letter of apology. Despite this, the situation resurfaced 18 months ago when the victim reported the abuse to the police, leading to Fiddler’s arrest.

Prosecutor Kim Whittlestone provided details during the hearing at Carlisle Crown Court, stating that Fiddler’s inappropriate contact was mostly over the girl’s clothing. She emphasized that the abuse ended when the girl was eight years old, after her parents discovered the situation. Following this, her father confronted Fiddler and his parents, and no further contact was made between them.

Fiddler’s defense team argued that he had maintained good character since the incidents and presented a pre-sentence report indicating a low risk of re-offending. Despite this, Judge Barbara Forrester sentenced him to 18 months in prison, with the sentence to run concurrently on each of the five charges. Additionally, Fiddler was disqualified from working with children and was issued a sex offenders prevention order that will last for ten years.

The judge also made it clear that Fiddler would be subject to further restrictions, including a prohibition from living or sleeping in the same house as a child under 16 and from inviting children under 16 into his home. She stated that the case would be referred to an independent self-regulating authority to determine whether Fiddler could continue working at funfairs, given his history and the nature of his offenses.