PAUL HITCHEN FROM WIGAN SENTENCED TO 29 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRLS AS YOUNG AS 13
In a case that has shocked the community of Wigan and beyond, Paul Hitchen, a man with no fixed address but known to have ties to Wigan, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 29 years for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over nearly a decade.The crimes involved the abuse of eight young girls, some as young as 13 years old, and came to light after a courageous woman decided to come forward in 2014, breaking the silence surrounding her ordeal.
Hitchen, aged 35 at the time of sentencing, engaged in a pattern of predatory behavior that involved befriending his victims to gain their trust.
Once he established a rapport, he would manipulate the girls into an intimate relationship, only to turn controlling and aggressive as his true intentions surfaced.
According to police reports, Hitchen would often threaten his victims with violence, escalating his control over them.
One particularly disturbing incident involved Hitchen grabbing a young girl by the throat, lifting her off the ground, and then violently assaulting and raping her.
Such acts of brutality were not isolated, as evidence showed he committed similar offenses against multiple victims over the years.
Detectives investigating the case revealed that Hitchen’s modus operandi included demanding sexual favors from his victims.
If they refused or did not comply, he would force himself upon them, showing a blatant disregard for their consent and well-being.
His actions left a trail of trauma and fear among those he targeted.
The criminal investigation was triggered when one woman found the courage to report her assault, which led authorities to uncover seven additional victims.
During police interviews, Hitchen denied all allegations, claiming that the victims were conspiring against him, despite the fact that they did not know each other and had no apparent connection.
At Liverpool Crown Court, Hitchen faced justice for his crimes.
On Thursday, he was convicted of 28 separate offenses, including seven counts of rape, seven counts of sexual assault, two counts of actual bodily harm, and one count of false imprisonment.
The court’s verdict reflected the severity and brutality of his actions.
As part of his sentence, Hitchen will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions.
The case has left a lasting impact on the victims and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and support for survivors of sexual abuse.
