JOHN FAIRBURN FROM DEIGHTON SENTENCED FOR ABUSING TWO SEVEN-YEAR-OLD GIRLS IN YORKSHIRE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Deighton and the wider Yorkshire area, a 72-year-old man named John Fairburn has been convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against two young girls. The crimes, which spanned over three years, involved repeated abuse of both victims, who were only seven years old at the time of the initial assaults.

According to court proceedings, Fairburn began abusing one girl when she was just seven years old. As she grew older, he also started to sexually assault a second girl, who was also only seven when the abuse commenced. The severity and duration of these offenses were detailed during the trial, highlighting the profound impact on the victims' lives.

Prosecutor Mark McKone emphasized the pre-existing vulnerabilities of one of the girls, noting that she already faced significant difficulties prior to the abuse due to earlier traumatic experiences. McKone read a statement from the girl’s parents, describing her extraordinary efforts to overcome her challenges, efforts that were ultimately undermined by Fairburn’s actions. The parents of the second girl described the day she confided in them about the abuse as “the worst day of their lives,” underscoring the emotional devastation inflicted upon the family.

Judge Benjamin Nolan QC addressed Fairburn directly during sentencing, stating, “The facts of the offences speak for themselves. You caused them both emotional and psychological harm. Not only are there offences against two victims, but there are repeated offences.”

Fairburn, who resides in Deighton, south of York, pleaded guilty to a total of 11 charges, including 10 counts of sexually assaulting a child and one charge of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. His sentencing resulted in a prison term of five and a half years. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was placed under a sexual harm prevention order for a period of 12 and a half years.

The judge remarked that Fairburn would likely be released in his late seventies, expressing a cautious hope that his urges would have subsided by then. The case has left a lasting scar on the community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from predators like Fairburn.