MALCOLM LINES FROM SALTERBECK SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE IN CUMBRIA

In a case that has shocked the community of Salterbeck and the wider Cumbria region, Malcolm Lines, a 70-year-old resident of Holden Road in Salterbeck, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for a series of heinous crimes committed against minors during the 1970s and 1980s.

Lines was found guilty of a total of 30 charges, which included rape, indecent assault, and incitement to commit gross indecency. The charges stem from his repeated sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl, as well as the assault of five other children, comprising both boys and girls. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that spanned over a decade, leaving a lasting impact on his victims.

The investigation into Lines’ past was triggered after one of his victims confronted him in 2008. The victim, who had endured years of silent suffering, visited Lines’ residence with the intent to confront him about the abuse. The encounter escalated when the victim punched Lines in the face, an act that prompted police to become involved. This assault served as a catalyst for the authorities to reopen and intensify their investigation into Lines’ criminal history.

During the court hearing at Carlisle Crown Court, the presiding judge, Peter Hughes QC, addressed the profound and lasting damage caused by Lines’ actions. He stated that Lines had “cast a dark shadow” over his victims, a shadow that would likely influence their lives indefinitely. The court’s decision reflects the severity of the crimes and the importance of justice for the victims who suffered at the hands of the convicted offender.