JOHN DALTON FROM MOUNTAIN ASH SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN BARROW

In a case that has shocked the local community, John Dalton, a 43-year-old resident of Ifor Street in Mountain Ash, South Wales, has been handed a significant prison sentence following his conviction for historical child sex offences committed in Barrow. The sentencing took place at Preston Crown Court, where Dalton was found guilty of multiple serious charges related to the abuse of a young child.

Dalton had previously pleaded guilty during an earlier hearing to two counts of indecency with a child, one count of indecent assault on a child, and four counts of possessing prohibited images of children. These offences spanned a period that included the late 1980s, with the abuse occurring in the Adelaide Street area of Barrow. The victim, who was approximately 10 years old at the time, endured a six-week period of abuse that has now come to light through the legal proceedings.

As part of his sentencing, Dalton was ordered to serve 16 months in prison. Additionally, he has been mandated to sign the Sex Offenders Register for a period of ten years, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his activities post-release. The court also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for five years, which explicitly prohibits him from having any unsupervised contact with individuals under the age of 16. Furthermore, Dalton is required to permit police to inspect his computing devices at any time, ensuring compliance with the restrictions and preventing further offences.

The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to address and prevent child exploitation and abuse, especially in cases involving historical offences that come to light years after the crimes occurred. The community in Barrow and beyond is urged to remain vigilant and report any concerns related to child safety to authorities.