JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS DECADES ON AS 'DESPICABLE' PENSIONER JAILED
A man aged 73 has been unmasked as a child sex abuser and jailed - decades on from his appalling crimes.Police said Michael John Worton, from Swinton, Salford, 'preyed on vulnerable young children while he worked in positions of trust in the local community'.
He was described by Greater Manchester Police detectives after a court sentencing hearing as a 'despicable man'.
Worton, a court heard, was convicted after five men came forward to report abuse they suffered as children in the 1970s and 1980s, when he worked on a farm and at a children's home.
He's now been locked up for three years, with a further three years on license.
Police, meanwhile, said they believe there may be further victims who haven't come forward, and issued an appeal.
Worton, of Moss Colliery Road, Swinton, denied the charges he faced, but was found guilty by a jury after a trial at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court.
He was convicted of 16 counts in total - five counts of indecent assault, three counts of indecency with a child and eight counts of indecent assault on a male person, police said.
He was also placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.
In a statement, GMP said: "The conviction follows disclosures from five courageous victim-survivors who came forward to report abuse they experienced as children during the 1970s and 1980s, when Worton worked on a farm and in a children's home.
"These men have carried the trauma of their experiences into adulthood and have shown immense bravery in helping bring Worton to justice.
"The investigation revealed that Worton abused his position of trust to target vulnerable children in settings where they should have felt safe.
We are also reviewing previous related investigations to ensure all non-recent offences are fully identified and addressed." Detective Constable Nathan Roscoe, from GMP's Salford division, said: "It's with thanks to the great bravery of these victim-survivors in coming forward and disclosing the abuse they were subjected to that we have been able to bring this despicable man to some long-awaited justice." "Worton preyed on vulnerable young children while he worked in positions of trust in the local community.
He should be ashamed of himself, and that shame lies solely with him." Chief Superintendent Neil Blackwood, district commander for Salford, paid tribute to the victims.
"We believe there may be further witnesses and victims in relation to this investigation and want to take this opportunity to appeal for them to please come forward," he added.
"Whether it be abuse against the children of today or yesterday, our specialist officers are determined to make child sexual abusers ultimately face justice for the harm they have inflicted.
"You will be believed no matter the passage of time, and we will listen to you and work with you at a pace that is best for you.
We have specialist officers who can support you and help you through the process."
