NORMAN ASTBURY FROM PADIHAM SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN PRESTON

In a case that has left a lasting scar on a young woman’s life, Norman Astbury, aged 59, from Padiham, has been sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. The victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, recounted the profound and lasting impact that Astbury’s actions have had on her life.

According to court proceedings at Preston Crown Court, Astbury’s criminal history includes a series of indecent exposure offences dating back to the 1970s. His past convictions involve disturbing incidents such as flashing a shop assistant, exposing himself to passengers on a bus, and performing a sex act in front of two young girls aged eight in a supermarket. These offences paint a troubling picture of a man with a long history of inappropriate and illegal sexual behavior.

The recent conviction stems from a series of disturbing incidents that occurred between 2006 and 2008, during which Astbury repeatedly committed sexual acts on himself in front of the young woman, who was then a child living at his home in Padiham. The victim described how her life was overshadowed by these traumatic experiences, which she endured in silence for years. Her contact with Astbury was eventually severed after her family became aware that he was suspected of performing a sex act in the changing rooms of a local swimming pool, leading to a break in their relationship.

During the court hearing, the woman delivered a heartfelt victim impact statement, revealing the devastating effects of the abuse. She explained that her life has been profoundly affected, suffering from nightmares and developing an eating disorder as a direct result of her childhood trauma. “It is like a never-ending nightmare for me,” she said. She also disclosed that she began self-harming at the age of nine and felt overwhelming shame and disgust about what had happened. The look Astbury gave her during the abuse continues to haunt her, she added.

Her relationship with her mother and stepfather deteriorated due to the abuse, and she expressed difficulty trusting men in general. Her mother, who also cannot be named, shared her concerns about her daughter’s mental health, noting that she had observed significant changes over the years. It was only later that she learned the true cause of her daughter’s struggles.

Judge Jacqueline Beech, presiding over the case, sentenced Astbury and commented on the manipulative and abusive nature of his conduct. She stated, “You would tell her she must not tell anyone or something would happen. It was a secret, you told her. In front of others, you behaved in a caring way towards her. No-one would know the true reality of what was going on. Your victim empathy is practically non-existent.” The court’s decision reflects the severity of Astbury’s actions and the lasting damage inflicted upon his victim.