LIVERPOOL MAN JAILED FOR LIFETIME SEX OFFENCES AGAINST BOY
Neil Maddox, aged 71, engaged in a prolonged campaign of rape and sexual abuse against a young boy, which resulted in the victim being "conditioned to submit." The abuse began when the boy was just nine years old, a child entrusted to Maddox at times.During the proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court, it was revealed that Maddox, residing on Warrington Road in Prescot and in his 50s at the time, initially sexually assaulted the boy.
Once the victim reached 13, Maddox escalated to raping him, causing physical pain and feelings of "disgust," and further violating him with a vibrator.
Judge Gary Woodhall stated: "Having been sexually abused by you from such a young age, he sadly believed, wrongly, that what you were doing was the norm." The judge explained that the boy felt unable to report the abuse due to shame and fear of disbelief, and as a child, he lacked the ability to stop Maddox.
The judge further remarked: "Your behaviour towards him meant he was conditioned to submit." It was noted that only once the victim reached adulthood did he summon the courage and strength to come forward and disclose Maddox's actions.
Maddox, who contended that the victim was lying, faced 20 counts of sexual offences, including six counts of rape and multiple sexual assaults.
He also denied possessing four Category A (most serious) and two Category C indecent images of children.
The case was tried over six days, and the jury convicted him of all 20 offences—almost all unanimously.
He remained unemotional throughout the proceedings and was ordered to abide by a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a restraining order, and to register as a sex offender for life.
