US EXTRADITED PAEDOPHILE JAILED FOR 50-YEAR-OLD EAST LANCASHIRE CRIMES
A paedophile has been sentenced to prison after being extradited from the United States to face justice for crimes he committed in East Lancashire nearly 50 years ago.Robert Flynn, an American citizen, was working in the UK during the 1970s when he sexually abused a teenage victim over several years.
Flynn returned to the US in 1976, but following the victim's report to police in 2021, an extradition process was initiated.
In May 2025, Flynn was arrested by the U.S.
Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) and the U.S.
Marshals Office of International Operations (OIO) in Ohio.
He was subsequently flown back to the UK and was arrested at Heathrow Airport in June 2025.
Flynn, aged 77, from Dunham Road, Maple Heights, Ohio, pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault on a boy under 16, crimes committed in the Rossendale area.
On September 11, 2025, at Preston Crown Court, he was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison.
Additionally, he was issued a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
The victim, now in his 60s, stated that Flynn’s actions had impacted his entire adult life.
However, with support, he is recovering and feels ready to pursue happiness.
The investigating officer, Mick Cross of the Major Crime Review Team, expressed gratitude for the victim's courage and hoped justice would inspire other victims to come forward.
Cross emphasized that the case highlights the commitment to investigating sexual abuse cases professionally and sensitively.
The article encourages victims of sexual abuse to report incidents via the Lancashire Constabulary website or to call 101.
