CLIVE MCKNIGHT FROM WIGAN SENTENCED TO NEARLY 20 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND ABUSE IMAGES
In a case that has shocked the community of Wigan, Clive McKnight, a 66-year-old resident of Pinewood Crescent in Ince, was sentenced to nearly two decades behind bars for a series of heinous sexual offences and the possession of disturbing child abuse images.The sentencing took place at Liverpool Crown Court, where the gravity of McKnight’s crimes was laid bare.
Judge Robert Trevor-Jones addressed McKnight directly, emphasizing the serious nature of his actions.
Although the judge expressed doubt that McKnight would remain a danger once released, he made it clear that the offender’s conduct had caused significant harm.
McKnight, who appeared in court with a bearded face, showed little emotion as the sentences were announced, apart from swallowing hard.
The judge highlighted the profound and devastating impact his victims endured, citing impact statements that detailed the lasting trauma inflicted upon them.
The victims, four young girls, suffered a range of sexual abuses, including rape.
One girl was raped when she was just 12 years old and again at 17.
The court heard that McKnight had groomed these girls, beginning his inappropriate conduct when they were as young as seven and up to 11 years old.
The grooming process and subsequent offences spanned several years, with some of the abuse involving a course of sexual conduct that left deep scars.
McKnight faced a total of 26 charges, some of which he admitted, including the possession of indecent images.
However, he denied certain allegations, notably the rapes, but was convicted after a trial.
The court was told that the impact statements from the victims described feelings of fear, loss of self-confidence, and a sense that their childhood had been stolen.
One victim expressed that her childhood had been taken away, illustrating the profound emotional toll.
The criminal case was triggered when McKnight’s computer was sent for repairs.
During the investigation, authorities discovered 3,620 indecent images, including one extreme pornographic image.
The police also found that McKnight had placed these images in the recycling bin on his computer, but software was present that could recover deleted files.
This evidence led to his arrest in August of the previous year.
Prosecutor Antony Longworth revealed that the images included depictions of a four-year-old girl and other minors aged between five and 15.
McKnight, who had no prior convictions, admitted to five charges related to the indecent images.
The court also learned that some of the images were particularly disturbing, involving very young children.
As part of his sentence, McKnight was ordered to serve 19 years and nine months in prison and to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to society.
