JACK TAYLOR FROM ALTRINCHAM AND WINDSOR SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE AND RAPE IN THE 1970S AND 80S

In a case that has spanned decades and involved multiple locations, Jack Taylor, a 71-year-old man from Straight Road in Berkshire, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for a series of heinous crimes committed against his own children during the 1970s and 1980s. The sentencing took place at Manchester Crown Court Crown Square on Friday, 11 February, marking a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for the victims.

Taylor had previously pleaded guilty to several charges, including the rape of his teenage daughter Suzanne, the indecent assault of his daughter Caroline, and child cruelty related to the abuse of his stepson Brian. These admissions came during an earlier hearing, setting the stage for the court to deliver its verdict.

What makes this case particularly notable is the decision by Taylor’s three children—Suzanne, Caroline, and Brian—to waive their right to anonymity. This choice was made so that the full scope of Taylor’s crimes could be publicly acknowledged, shedding light on the extent of his long-standing abuse. The victims, now aged 43, 42, and 35 respectively, reside in different parts of the country but united in their courage to come forward.

Their decision to report the abuse was prompted by a chance reunion on the social networking site Facebook in 2009. The siblings had lost contact with each other in the 1980s after being placed into care, a consequence of the revelations of Taylor’s sexual abuse towards Suzanne in 1984, which led to his initial conviction and a 15-month jail sentence. The reunion rekindled their connection and ultimately prompted them to disclose the full extent of their suffering to the authorities.

Between 1973 and 1984, Taylor subjected Suzanne and Brian to regular physical abuse. Suzanne endured this violence at his hands, while Brian was also physically assaulted from the age of eight until he was 14. The abuse often left marks in places that would not be visible to others, and it was only when Suzanne took an overdose of drugs and confided in an adult that the pattern of abuse was finally uncovered, leading to Taylor’s first conviction.

In 1984, Taylor sexually assaulted Caroline, further compounding his crimes. Suzanne was raped when she was between 14 and 16 years old, at Taylor’s homes in Northern Moor and Altrincham. The abuse inflicted on Brian was equally severe, with the physical assaults continuing over several years.

Following the court proceedings, Detective Sergeant Lee Price commended the victims for their resilience and bravery. He emphasized the difficulty victims face in coming forward after many years, especially when the abuse occurred in childhood. “Taylor’s victims found strength in finding each other and put their confidence in us to get justice done for them. Today should be the start of them moving on from the horrible ordeal he put them through,” he stated.

Sergeant Price also urged others who might be suffering in silence to come forward, assuring them of support and justice. He highlighted that Taylor had previously served a short sentence for some of his crimes, but it was only after the victims disclosed the full extent of his abuse that he was brought back before the courts. As part of his sentence, Taylor was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct.