JAMES FAIRCLOUGH SENTENCED IN ROYTON AND OLDHAM CHILD SEX ABUSE CASE

In a case that has shocked the communities of Royton and Oldham, an 81-year-old man named James Fairclough has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of multiple child sex offenses. The crimes, which involved repeated sexual abuse of a young girl aged between five and eight, took place during visits to a house in Beachley, near Chepstow, where the girl was also a guest. The incident was brought to light in November 2010 when the girl, overwhelmed with distress, confided in her mother about the abuse.

According to court reports, Fairclough, who resides on Harewood Drive in Royton, had denied engaging in any sexual activity with a child under 12. He faced three charges of assault of a child by penetration and one charge of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The jury, after deliberating for four hours, unanimously convicted him on four counts, while acquitting him of one allegation of assault by penetration. The judge at Gloucester Crown Court, Recorder Martin Meeke QC, emphasized the severity of the offenses, stating that they are among the most serious in the sentencing guidelines.

While Fairclough was described as being of previous good character, the judge highlighted the psychological harm inflicted upon the young victim. The court acknowledged that although there was no lasting physical injury, the emotional and mental damage was significant. In passing sentence, Recorder Meeke noted the importance of considering Fairclough’s advanced age and the nature of his crimes, ultimately sentencing him to seven years in prison. Additionally, Fairclough was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and was barred from working with children in the future.

Throughout the proceedings, Fairclough showed no visible reaction to the verdict or the sentence. The prosecution, led by Sarah Regan, presented a statement from the girl’s mother, who expressed her anguish, saying, “This has turned my world upside down. It is my worst nightmare come true.” Ms. Regan also mentioned that the girl’s family felt a sense of relief after she testified in court, describing it as “as if a significant weight had been lifted from her.”

During the trial, the prosecution recounted how the allegations first emerged when the girl became visibly upset, prompting her mother to ask what was wrong. The girl initially hesitated but eventually revealed that the defendant had touched her inappropriately, pointing to specific areas of her body. The girl also disclosed that the abuse began with the letter ‘S’ and spelled out the word “sex” to her mother. Fairclough admitted to sometimes slapping the girl for misbehavior but denied ever molesting her.

In his defense, Fairclough’s legal representative, Antony Longworth, acknowledged that the significant age difference between the defendant and the victim, as well as her young age, were aggravating factors. However, he argued that Fairclough’s advanced age should be taken into account to reduce the severity of the sentence. The case has left a lasting impact on the communities of Royton and Oldham, highlighting the importance of vigilance and safeguarding children from abuse.