JOHN BUTLER SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN LYMM

In a case that has shocked the community of Lymm, John Butler, a 52-year-old man residing on Northway, was handed a substantial prison sentence after being convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against two young girls over a period spanning from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s.

These disturbing acts only came to light in December 2008, when the victims, now in their 30s, courageously came forward to report the abuse to the police. The revelations prompted a thorough investigation, which ultimately led to Butler’s arrest and subsequent trial at Warrington Crown Court.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Butler, who previously worked as a taxi driver, was found guilty on multiple counts of sexual abuse against the two teenagers. The jury reached their verdict last month after carefully considering the evidence presented. It was also disclosed that Butler had a criminal history, with two prior convictions for indecent assault and exposure dating back to 1977 and 1984, respectively.

The court heard harrowing details of Butler’s conduct during his years of abuse. Prosecutor John Philpotts described how Butler, during the period of his offending, would often coerce one of his victims into participating in a range of sordid acts, asserting control and dominance over her. Philpotts stated, “The defendant said do this and you’re not going anywhere until I’m done,” highlighting the coercive and manipulative nature of his crimes.

Despite his conviction, Butler has maintained his innocence since the trial. A pre-sentence report indicated that he was in “considerable denial” about his actions, which raised concerns about his potential for reoffending. Probation officers classified him as being at a high risk of future offending, although they did not consider him an immediate threat to the public.

In his defense, Andrew Jebb argued that the offenses occurred over 15 years ago and that there had been no reoccurrence of such behavior since the mid-1990s. Nevertheless, Judge Nicholas Woodward sentenced Butler to a range of prison terms, with sentences of five to ten years for various offenses, all to run concurrently.

Judge Woodward condemned Butler’s actions, stating, “You took advantage of them in the most appalling way. Both those two are now grown women but you could see they have both been damaged by their experiences.” The judge also imposed a lifelong ban on Butler working with children, reflecting the severity of his crimes.

Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Nigel Wenham of the Public Protection Unit issued a statement emphasizing the gravity of the case. He said, “Butler has been convicted and sentenced for committing horrific offences. He subjected them to years of abuse. The sentence reflects the gravity of the offences and the danger he presents to the public. When he has finally been freed from prison, he will be subject to monitoring for the rest of his life through the requirements of the sex offenders register.”