EUGENE MCHUGH FROM KINGSLY SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN NORTHAMPTON

In a case that has shocked the local community, Eugene McHugh, a 50-year-old man from Kingsley, Northampton, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 12 years after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offenses involving a young girl. The crimes, which took place during the 1980s, involved the systematic abuse and rape of a seven-year-old girl, with the court hearing harrowing details of the victim’s ordeal.

McHugh, who denied all allegations, faced a jury at Northampton Crown Court. Despite his denial, the jury convicted him of six counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault. However, they acquitted him of charges related to two other girls, now women in their 30s, who had also accused him of abuse during the mid-1980s and early 1990s.

The prosecution, led by Felicity Gerry, emphasized that this was not a case of fabricated accusations. She explained that the victim had initially reported the abuse in 1995, but her complaint was not acted upon at the time. Over the years, the victim faced numerous personal struggles, including drug addiction, involvement in prostitution, and time spent in prison. It was only in 2009, when she felt strong enough, that she returned to the police to report the abuse.

Gerry detailed how McHugh had groomed her, providing her with money and manipulating her into believing she loved him. The abuse reportedly began shortly after 1984, with the victim recounting that McHugh had engaged in sexual acts with her “loads of times.” The court heard that McHugh exploited the lack of parental supervision to carry out his heinous acts regularly.

McHugh’s residence on Carlton Road in Kingsley was central to the case, and his conviction has brought a sense of justice to the community. The judge, Christopher Metcalf, sentenced him to 12 years in prison, with additional measures including lifetime registration on the sex offenders’ register and a sexual offences’ prevention order. This order prohibits him from having contact or employment with anyone under the age of 16 upon his release.

During the trial, Miss Gerry highlighted McHugh’s own statements, where he claimed he did not find the girl sexually attractive but noted she looked older than her age. The jury was instructed to consider whether these claims were credible, and they were assured that the witnesses’ testimonies were truthful.

Judge Metcalf concluded the sentencing by emphasizing the profound impact of McHugh’s actions, stating that he had effectively ruined his victim’s life. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from predatory individuals in the community.