JOHN REDMAN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN NELSON AND BURNLEY
In July 2014, a disturbing case unfolded involving John Redman, a 65-year-old man from Nelson, who was convicted of multiple sexual offenses against a young girl.The heinous acts took place over a period of time and left the victim psychologically scarred, prompting a lengthy legal process that culminated in a significant prison sentence.
Redman was brought before Burnley Crown Court after a rigorous two-week trial during which a jury found him guilty of two counts of indecent assault, including a specimen count.
Despite the conviction, Redman maintained his innocence, vehemently denying all allegations and asserting that the assaults did not occur.
The court proceedings revealed that he had been cleared of three charges of rape and two counts of gross indecency involving the same young girl, the complainant in the case.
During the sentencing hearing, the court was informed that a probation officer had assessed Redman as posing a medium risk of re-offending.
However, Judge Simon Newell expressed a different view, stating, “It would seem to me there would be a low risk.” The judge emphasized that he was treating Redman as a man of good character, despite the serious nature of the crimes.
As part of his punishment, Redman was ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely, a measure designed to monitor his activities and prevent further offenses.
Additionally, he was handed a 10-year sexual offences prevention order, which explicitly prohibits him from having any unsupervised contact with female children under the age of 16.
These restrictions are intended to protect vulnerable minors from potential harm.
Redman, who has held various jobs over the years, was not employed by the bakery firm at the time of the offenses.
The prosecution, led by Mark Savill, detailed that Redman had put his hand down the girl’s pants, an act that caused her to feel scared and upset.
The court heard that the victim has been suffering from psychological issues since the incidents, highlighting the lasting impact of Redman’s actions.
In his defense, Tim Storrie described the verdicts as a “personal catastrophe” for Redman, acknowledging the profound effect the case has had on his life.
The judge noted that experts might never be able to definitively determine whether the victim’s ongoing psychological difficulties are solely attributable to the assaults or if other factors are involved.
Judge Simon Newell concluded by emphasizing the seriousness of the offenses and the damage inflicted.
He underscored the importance of safeguarding children and ensuring that offenders like Redman are kept under strict supervision to prevent future harm.
