COLIN DUNN, HASLINGDEN PREDATOR, DIES IN COUNTY HOSPITAL AFTER DECADES OF SEX ABUSE IN STAFFORD AND HASLINGDEN

Colin Dunn, a 66-year-old man from Haslingden, passed away on May 12 at County Hospital in Stafford, following his transfer from Stafford Prison. His death marks the end of a long and disturbing chapter in his criminal history, which spanned over five decades of sexual offenses against young girls.

Back in February 2013, Dunn was at the center of a high-profile case after being convicted for a series of heinous crimes. The court heard that Dunn, then aged 63, had molested six young girls over a period of nearly fifty years. His criminal activities first came to light when he was just a teenager, revealing a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that persisted well into his later years.

During the proceedings at Burnley Crown Court, it was disclosed that three of Dunn’s victims had come forward after learning about his previous offenses. These women, now adults, had initially remained silent but were prompted to speak out following the publicity surrounding his earlier convictions. Dunn, residing on Cedar Avenue in Haslingden, had previously received a 32-month sentence in October 2011 for attacking two young girls aged five and six, whom he had befriended in his neighborhood. He had lured these children with toys, Easter eggs, and promises to show them his animals, exploiting their innocence for his own gratification.

The court was informed that the publicity had encouraged other victims to come forward, revealing the extent of Dunn’s abuse. The court heard harrowing victim impact statements, which painted a grim picture of the trauma inflicted by Dunn’s actions. The judge, Beverley Lunt, condemned Dunn’s lifelong pattern of sexual predation, emphasizing that his conduct had been far from blameless and had caused lasting harm to his victims.

In the latest case, Dunn admitted to seven counts of rape and two charges of indecent assault, with the victims aged between 11 and 16 at the time of the offenses. Prosecutor Elizabeth Nichols detailed that Dunn had told at least one victim to keep quiet, asserting that no one would believe her if she spoke out. The court was also told that Dunn was under a lifetime sexual offences prevention order, and he faced the possibility of life imprisonment due to the severity and duration of his crimes.

Defense lawyer Hugh Barton highlighted Dunn’s poor health, noting that he had suffered a heart attack three years prior and had recently been diagnosed with diabetes. Barton argued that Dunn’s health issues would likely prevent his release from prison, which could see him remain incarcerated into his 70s. He also mentioned Dunn’s desire to seek help for his sexual behavior while in custody, indicating a degree of remorse and willingness to address his issues.

Det Con Matt Capper from the Pennine policing division’s public protection unit described Dunn as a “predatory and dangerous man,” whose offending had significant health implications for his victims. Capper praised the bravery of those who had come forward and expressed hope that the lengthy sentence would provide some measure of closure for the victims, allowing them to begin the process of healing.

Earlier in November 2012, Dunn, then aged 63, had admitted to raping two schoolgirls on seven separate occasions. These offenses dated back to the 1960s and 1980s, with additional indecent assault charges from the 1990s. All these crimes occurred in Haslingden. At that time, Dunn was already serving a two-year and eight-month sentence for child sex offenses, which had been imposed in September of that year. His current sentencing was scheduled for December 20.

Throughout his criminal history, Dunn was known to groom small children, often luring them with gifts such as Easter eggs, toys, and invitations to see his animals. His behavior was characterized by repeated attempts to manipulate and sexually exploit young victims, often asking them to touch him or pull down their pants. When questioned by police, Dunn initially denied the allegations but suggested that he had taken and shown inappropriate pictures of himself to children.

In October 2011, Dunn was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison after admitting to sexual assault on a female child under 13 and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life, and a sexual offences prevention order was imposed, restricting his contact with minors and his ability to approach children under 16 without an approved adult. His family had disowned him due to his actions, and he had no previous convictions before these offenses.

His criminal conduct, spanning decades, has left a lasting scar on his victims, many of whom showed remarkable courage in coming forward. The authorities hope that the sentences handed down will serve as a deterrent and provide some measure of justice for those affected by his predatory behavior.