NORMAN CARLISLE RUSHDEN AND SKEGNESS PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED FOR ABUSING BOYS IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

In a significant case that has shocked the local communities, three men responsible for the abuse of young boys in Northamptonshire nearly two decades ago have been formally sentenced to prison. The court proceedings, which culminated in June 2004, revealed disturbing details about the predatory behavior of these individuals, whose actions left lasting trauma on their victims.

Norman Carlisle, aged 46 and residing in Skegness, Lincolnshire, received a sentence of 12 years after being convicted on 14 counts of indecent and serious sexual assault. The court heard that Carlisle targeted vulnerable boys, aged between 12 and 16, exploiting their circumstances to carry out his heinous acts. His method involved offering alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and pornography to lure the boys into sexual acts, a pattern of abuse that spanned several years.

One of the key elements of Carlisle’s grooming strategy was the use of a mobile chip van, which he operated as a means to attract young boys. The court described this van as a deliberate device designed to serve as a “magnet” for children, facilitating his access to potential victims. During the sentencing, Judge Charles Wide QC emphasized the calculated nature of Carlisle’s actions, stating, “You set up in business with a chip van knowing it would be a magnet for young people. The chip van really was a device to have contact with the children. You repeatedly abused them and introduced them to your friends who abused them.”

In a surprising turn during the trial, Carlisle provided evidence against his co-defendants, Alexander Browning-Jones and Dennis Roadknight, which led to their convictions. Browning-Jones, aged 64 from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, was sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of four counts of indecent assault and one charge of attempted serious sex assault, all committed against two boys. His actions further compounded the distress experienced by his young victims.

Dennis Roadknight, aged 61 and from Rushden, Northamptonshire, was also convicted and sentenced to five years, with the court noting his involvement in two counts of indecent assault against two boys. Notably, Roadknight was a founding member and former commander of the Northamptonshire Air Training Corps, a detail that added a layer of betrayal given his position of authority and trust.

The prosecution highlighted the profound impact these crimes had on the victims, describing them as being left traumatised by their ordeals. The court acknowledged the remorse expressed by Carlisle, who admitted guilt and stated that his plea was motivated by a desire to alleviate the ongoing pain inflicted upon his victims.

All three men were ordered to register as sex offenders and were permanently barred from working with children, reflecting the court’s commitment to preventing any future harm. The sentencing marked a significant step in addressing past abuses and delivering justice for the victims affected by these heinous crimes.