DERBY ROLLS-ROYCE WORKER PATRICK BYRNE SENTENCED FOR ABUSING UNDERAGE BOY IN ALVASTON

In February 2019, a disturbing case emerged involving Patrick Byrne, a Rolls-Royce employee from Derby, who was convicted of sexually abusing an underage boy in Alvaston. Byrne, described by a judge as “devilish” and “morally corrupt,” targeted a vulnerable young man with learning difficulties and autistic traits. Over a period of years, Byrne engaged in a series of heinous acts, including taking the boy on outings, bringing him back to his home where he showed pornographic films, fed him alcohol, and forced him into sexual acts. Byrne also made the victim touch him sexually.

The 57-year-old, residing on Keldholme Lane, denied the allegations and chose to face trial, forcing the victim to recount his traumatic experiences almost a decade after the abuse started. In a statement read to Derby Crown Court, the now adult victim expressed a desire for Byrne to be imprisoned "to stop anything happening to anyone else."

Judge Robert Egbuna sentenced Byrne to eight and a half years in prison, stating: “You portrayed to the jury that you were an upstanding member of society, working for Rolls-Royce, but you were anything but. You are morally corrupt, you were devilish and devoid of kindness towards the victim in this case. You knew that you were dealing with a young man who displayed autistic traits and had significant learning difficulties. It is clear these offences were committed purely for your own sexual gratification. You did not care about the welfare of this young man.

“You took advantage of him, showing him pornographic films before engaging in sexual activity. It is clear you targeted a particularly vulnerable child, and you must have known he was that. You groomed him, and even now, as I sentence you, you shake your head indicating a lack of remorse.

“You committed more than one offence of abuse against this young man. You were relentless just for your own sexual gratification.”

The trial revealed that Byrne denied any wrongdoing, yet he was convicted on 12 counts of sexual assault against a child following the evidence presented. The victim, now in his 20s and a father, provided a victim impact statement. He said: “I struggle to sleep and sometimes have flashbacks. I hope he gets sent down. That will make my life better and he can’t do anything to anyone again. Thankfully, my life has improved since this happened to me.”