JOHN SKELTON FROM ABINGTON AND THE MOUNTS SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR CHILD ABUSE AND CANCER DIAGNOSIS
In a case that has spanned over three decades, John Skelton, aged 65, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of heinous sexual offenses committed against young children in the early 1980s and 1970s.The court proceedings took place at Northampton Crown Court, where Skelton was handed what effectively amounts to a life sentence due to his current health condition.
Skelton, a former resident of Standens Barn, was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer, with doctors estimating he may have as little as a year to live.
This diagnosis played a significant role in the court's decision, as it underscored the urgency and gravity of his sentencing.
The court was informed that Skelton’s crimes, which had remained hidden for decades, only came to light after his return to the United Kingdom from Turkey in 2009.
Prosecutor Jonathan Spicer detailed the disturbing history of Skelton’s offenses.
He revealed that in 1971, Skelton was living in the area of The Mounts when he began abusing a young girl.
During the court proceedings, it was stated that Skelton manipulated the girl by telling her that the abuse would be beneficial for her future.
He allegedly told her, “Your future husband or boyfriend will like this – they will be grateful I showed you how to pleasure men,” implying that the abuse was somehow a lesson for her.
The court also heard that another young victim was groomed by Skelton through exposure to pornography, which was used as a tool to facilitate repeated sexual abuse.
Further, Skelton was found to have committed a series of rapes against yet another young girl while residing in Abington during the early 1980s.
These offenses, spanning over a long period, were only uncovered after Skelton’s return to the UK.
Judge Michael Fowler addressed the court during sentencing, acknowledging that Skelton had no prior convictions before these offenses.
He emphasized that although the crimes were historical, they were of the highest severity.
The judge also noted that Skelton’s guilty pleas had spared his victims from having to testify in court, which was considered a mitigating factor.
Nonetheless, he described the offenses as “the highest order of offenses of this kind.” Skelton, who was also known to have lived in Abington, pleaded guilty on the day of his trial last month to 13 charges, including rape, gross indecency, and indecent assaults.
The identities of his victims remain protected under law.
During the hearing, Richard Holloway, representing Skelton, stated that his client accepted the likelihood of spending the rest of his life in prison.
Holloway added that Skelton’s guilty plea was a way to provide some closure for his victims, acknowledging the gravity of his actions and the impact they had on those affected.
