OSWALDTWISTLE PAEDOPHILE ROBERT FOULKES SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS IN PRISON FOR ABUSING TWO GIRLS

In a case that has shocked the community of Oswaldtwistle, Robert Foulkes, a 60-year-old man from Curlew Close, was sentenced to a decade behind bars after being convicted of abusing two young girls and causing them significant psychological trauma.

The incidents came to light in December of the previous year when a mother, who had briefly entered a shop, returned to find her daughter being molested by Foulkes. The distressing discovery was made in broad daylight and prompted immediate legal action. Burnley Crown Court heard how Foulkes had subjected his victims to repeated sexual acts over a period spanning from 1990 to December 2010.

Foulkes, who was married and had a family of his own, attempted to shift blame onto one of the victims, claiming that she dressed older than her age and had come onto him. This defense was dismissed by the court, which found sufficient evidence of his guilt. The defendant had earlier admitted to eight counts of indecent assault and eight counts of assault by penetration, highlighting the severity and repeated nature of his crimes.

As part of his sentencing, Foulkes was ordered to register as a sex offender for life. Additionally, he was issued a lifelong sexual offences prevention order designed to prevent him from reoffending and to protect potential victims. The order explicitly prohibits him from associating with any child under the age of 17 unless under the supervision of an appropriate adult approved by local social services.

The court was informed that Foulkes, who had no prior criminal record, began his offending when he was approximately 40 years old. His misconduct continued over the years, with the second victim being targeted several years after the first. Following his guilty plea, Foulkes was remanded into custody and spent 28 days in detention before sentencing.

Philip Holden, representing Foulkes, stated, “To all intents and purposes, other than of course these offences, this is a man who has led a fairly industrious life, working until he suffered an accident some years ago.” The judge emphasized the seriousness of the crimes and the need to protect vulnerable children from individuals like Foulkes, which led to the imposition of the strictest possible measures to prevent any future harm.