GARY ABSON SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CHILD RAPE IN BACUP

In a case that has shocked the community of Bacup, Gary Abson, aged 53, 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 court heard harrowing details of the abuse, which included repeated acts of sexual assault, fondling, and intercourse with the victim, a schoolgirl whose identity remains protected.

According to court proceedings, the victim recounted to police that Abson had engaged in sexual activity with her on numerous occasions, describing the encounters as happening 'too many times to count.' She also revealed that if she attempted to resist or stop him, Abson would become aggressive, telling her he would 'rag her about.' The court was shown evidence that Abson had produced red lacy underwear and had tried to persuade the girl to wear it so he could take photographs, but she refused to comply.

Following the allegations, Abson left the Bacup area with his belongings, including a laptop computer. The police investigation led to his arrest the day after he returned to Bacup. During questioning, Abson claimed to have taken some tablets and was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment. He denied raping the girl but admitted to having sexually touched her, asserting that the victim had encouraged him. Abson expressed his own disgust at his actions, stating he was appalled by his behaviour.

Legal proceedings revealed that Abson, who resides on Ribble Street, had no prior convictions but was assessed by the probation service as posing a significant risk of causing serious harm. He pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and four counts of assault by penetration, which were considered specimen charges. The court also heard that Abson would be required to register as a sex offender for life.

To further protect potential victims, Judge Jonathan Gibson imposed a sexual offences prevention order on Abson. This order prohibits him from having any unsupervised contact or communication with children under the age of 16. It also restricts his use of devices capable of internet access unless they are configured to retain and display browsing history, which he must make available to police upon request. The order explicitly forbids him from deleting any internet history or possessing devices capable of storing digital images unless he agrees to provide access to them for inspection.

Abson had been in custody since September 21 of the previous year. His legal representative, Laura Barbour, acknowledged the gravity of his actions, stating, 'He recognises what he has done is nothing short of despicable.'

Judge Gibson emphasized the severity of the crime, noting that rape is a deeply damaging offence with long-lasting psychological effects on victims. He underscored the importance of the measures taken to prevent future harm, reflecting the community's concern for the safety of its young residents.