A DAD-OF-TWO AND FORMER NHS WORKER RAPED A YOUNG BOY
A man with two children and a former NHS worker was convicted of raping a young boy during his teenage years.Philip Boardman, who has served as a healthcare assistant, ambulance technician, and medical courier, appeared before Liverpool Crown Court.
The 45-year-old, married and father to two sons, was described by those close to him as a nurturing and caring family man.
However, during the early 1990s, when he was between 14 and 17 years old, he exploited a young boy living in St Helens, causing lasting trauma.
Judge David Swinnerton told Boardman that although his wife and in-laws spoke highly of him, his adult life concealed a dark secret.
Boardman, of Winstanley Close, Great Sankey, Warrington, denied four counts of indecent assault, which meant the victim had to testify in court.
These counts included touching the boy's genitals and encouraging the boy to touch his, with at least ten incidents.
Additionally, two charges, now classified as rape, involved oral assaults on the child.
He was convicted on all four counts by the jury.
The prosecutor, Geoffrey Lowe, shared a poignant statement from the victim, now an adult, describing himself as broken and abnormal.
The survivor revealed ongoing struggles with severe insomnia, depression, and anxiety that impaired his education, work, and relationships.
He recounted that his depression rendered him unmotivated and hopeless, with a persistent negative self-image.
Panic attacks made him fearful, especially around unfamiliar men.
The survivor also described enduring chronic insomnia, going as long as 48 hours without sleep, which affected his nightly life.
During sentencing, Judge Swinnerton quoted the victim’s words, emphasizing the damage inflicted: "What happened in my youth destroyed my mental health and has been a barrier in my life.
I have no happiness, no future, and I distrust everyone." The judge noted, "That is what you did to him." Defense lawyer Steven Swift referenced a recent Court of Appeal case, Limon, which involved similar offenses committed by a juvenile.
The ruling underscored that both the maximum sentence for the crime at the time and the potential sentence for a child must be considered.
At the time of the abuse, the maximum sentence for indecent assault was 10 years, but a 17-year-old could receive only 12 months' detention.
The judge explained that the case law from Limon required starting from that 12-month limit but acknowledged exceptions where longer sentences might be justified.
Given the gravity of the psychological harm caused and Boardman's lack of remorse, the judge determined that a 12-month sentence would be insufficient.
After considering the evidence and guidelines, he concluded that if Boardman were an adult, he might face over 16 years in prison.
Ultimately, Judge Swinnerton sentenced Boardman to four years in detention, ordered him to register as a sex offender for life, and watched him cry as he was led away.
