KEVIN BLACKBURN LIVERSEDGE CHILD RAPE HORROR REVEALED IN COURT

In February 2021, a harrowing case of child sexual abuse came to light involving Kevin Blackburn, a man from Liversedge, who subjected a young girl to years of unimaginable suffering. The victim, who was only nine years old at the time, endured a series of heinous acts that left her childhood completely shattered and her mental health severely damaged.

Blackburn, a 71-year-old grandfather residing on Healds Avenue in Liversedge, was found guilty of multiple serious charges related to the abuse. The court heard that Blackburn had groomed the girl, gaining her trust before initiating the sexual abuse. The young victim recounted that Blackburn initially exposed himself to her, an act that caused her to run away in fear. However, Blackburn demanded secrecy, warning her that if she told anyone, her parents would abandon her. This threat was part of his manipulative tactics to keep her silent and compliant.

The abuse escalated over time, with Blackburn subjecting the girl to rape, assault by penetration, and other sexual assaults. He also coerced her into engaging in sexual activities, all while reinforcing her fears of being betrayed and abandoned. The court was told that Blackburn would often tell the girl that the disturbing acts were part of her 'sex education,' and he would reward her with money, cigarettes, and alcohol to maintain control and silence.

The victim, overwhelmed by shame and fear, kept her suffering hidden for years. She was too humiliated to confide in anyone until she reached her teenage years. When she finally confided in her friends, they urged her to tell her father, who then contacted the police. Her courage to speak out was a turning point in her long ordeal.

During police interviews, Blackburn admitted to fooling around with the girl when he had consumed alcohol. He acknowledged that he was sexually attracted to her and that the abuse began when she was just nine years old. However, he claimed that the abuse only lasted for a few months, attempting to minimize the extent of his actions.

The court was presented with a statement from the victim, who described herself as a once happy and normal child before Blackburn's abuse. She expressed that her childhood was 'entirely destroyed' and that Blackburn had taken away her innocence. She recounted how he painted her as the villain and how she swore to keep her secret forever. Her trauma led her to fake illnesses to avoid school, which resulted in bullying. As a teenager, she attempted to take her own life, was placed on suicide watch, and had kitchen knives hidden in her home for her safety.

Her mental health struggles persisted into adulthood, requiring medication for depression, anxiety, and insomnia. She also received support from children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). The victim shared that she felt insecure around men and was forced to drop out of college due to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Blackburn was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges including the rape of a child under 13, multiple counts of sexual assault, and causing a child to engage in sexual activity. The court ordered that he serve two-thirds of a 13-year sentence before being eligible for parole, followed by an extended five-year license period. Additionally, Blackburn was placed under an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, reflecting the court's assessment of him as a dangerous offender.

His crimes have left a lasting scar on his victim, whose life was forever altered by his actions, and serve as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of child abuse in communities like Liversedge.