IAN BARRINGTON FROM FOULRIDGE AND COLNE SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Colne and Foulridge, Ian Barrington, aged 42, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of multiple counts of engaging in sexual activity with a minor. The court proceedings revealed that Barrington, who resides on Highfield Avenue in Foulridge, was found guilty of five separate charges related to sexual misconduct involving a young girl.

The incidents reportedly began earlier this year in Colne, where the abuse persisted over several months. Prosecutors detailed that the victim was only 13 years old when the grooming started, with Barrington manipulating her into believing that their relationship was consensual. The court heard that Barrington exploited her vulnerability, making her feel special and as if they were in a genuine romantic relationship. This manipulation left the young girl emotionally and psychologically scarred.

Following the sentencing, the victim’s mother expressed her anguish and horror at discovering her daughter’s ordeal. She described how Barrington had been grooming her daughter since the start of the year, taking advantage of her innocence and trust. The mother recounted how her daughter, once a confident and academically successful young girl, has now become withdrawn, refusing to attend school or leave the house. She emphasized that her daughter is currently struggling to cope with the trauma and that recovery will take years, but she remains hopeful that her daughter will eventually heal.

During the trial, Barrington was acquitted of two additional counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child and one count of causing a female child to engage in sexual activity. Despite this, he was sentenced to serve eight years for each of the five counts of which he was convicted, with all sentences to run concurrently. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order, which will be imposed at a later date.

The victim’s mother has since become an advocate for vigilance among parents, urging them to be alert to signs of grooming and to report any suspicions to authorities immediately. She expressed her fears that Barrington could be released after serving his sentence and potentially harm other children. She also shared her own experience of suspecting something was wrong when her daughter stopped eating and appeared distressed, but she initially attributed her behavior to academic pressure. It was only after discovering text messages where Barrington called her daughter “fit” and “sexy” that she realized the extent of the grooming.

Her message to other parents is clear: if something feels off, it is better to report it to the police and seek professional help rather than ignore the signs. Her story underscores the importance of vigilance and proactive intervention to protect children from predators like Ian Barrington, whose actions have left a lasting impact on a young girl and her family.