EDENFIELD MAN DAVID FORREST FACES PRISON OVER CHILD SEX ABUSE CASE

In October 2017, a disturbing case emerged from Edenfield involving David Forrest, a pensioner who now faces serious criminal charges related to child sexual abuse. The proceedings took place at Burnley Crown Court, where it was revealed that Forrest, aged 74 and residing on Rawsthorne Avenue in Edenfield, was found guilty of two counts of indecency with a child and two counts of indecent assault on a male victim.

According to court reports, the victim was a young boy under the age of 10 at the time the offenses occurred. The abuse is alleged to have taken place during the late 1980s and early 1990s, a period during which the young victim was vulnerable and unable to defend himself. The court heard that Forrest’s actions constituted a grave breach of trust, highlighting the manipulative nature of his conduct.

Prosecutor Frances McEntee described the case as one involving the sexual abuse of children and emphasized the betrayal of trust involved in Forrest’s actions. The court proceedings revealed the disturbing details of the abuse, which have now come to light after years of silence.

Sentencing for Forrest is scheduled for November 6 at Preston Crown Court. At that hearing, the Crown Prosecution Service will also determine whether to proceed with additional charges, including two further counts of indecency with a child and one of indecent assault. These charges relate to a female complainant, also under the age of 10 at the time of the alleged offenses. However, the jury, composed of seven men and five women, was unable to reach a verdict on these additional allegations, leaving the case partially unresolved.

The case has garnered significant attention due to the serious nature of the crimes and the breach of innocence and trust involved. Forrest’s actions, spanning over a decade, have left a lasting impact on the victims and the community of Edenfield, where such crimes are particularly shocking and unacceptable.