JOHN MCVAN SENTENCED IN CLEVESLEYS AND HAMBLETON FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In December 2016, a man from the Over Wyre area was handed a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of a series of serious sexual offenses involving minors. The defendant, John McVan, aged 66, residing at Sunset Park, Sower Carr Lane, Hambleton, faced an extensive trial at Preston Crown Court that lasted eight days. The court found him guilty of multiple charges, including the heinous crime of raping a girl under the age of 16, with the offense having occurred between 1985 and 1986.

Furthermore, McVan was convicted on three counts of indecent assault, all relating to a teenage girl under 16, with these incidents taking place over a period from 1983 to 1986. The court heard that these offenses occurred at an address in Cleveleys, a seaside town known for its community and tourist appeal. The gravity of these crimes was underscored by the fact that they spanned several years and involved vulnerable victims.

In addition to these convictions, McVan was found guilty of two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, with these offenses occurring between 2012 and 2013. The court also established that he possessed extreme pornography on four separate occasions, a charge he admitted to during proceedings. These acts of possession further highlighted the disturbing nature of his criminal behavior.

The judge sentenced McVan to a total of 16 years and nine months in prison. The breakdown of his sentence included 13 years for the rape conviction, one year for the indecent assault, three years for the sexual activity with a child, and an additional nine months for possessing extreme pornography. The sentences for the other charges—two years for the second indecent assault, three years for the second count of sexual activity with a child, and 27 months for the possession of extreme pornography—were ordered to run concurrently, meaning he will serve the longest sentence without stacking the sentences sequentially.

Overall, the court's decision reflects the severity of McVan’s crimes and the impact on his victims, emphasizing the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and the justice system to address and penalize such heinous offenses.