ROBERT ISHERWOOD'S SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE IN LOWER DARWEN: A DISTURBING CASE OF LONG-TERM VICTIMIZATION IN BLACKBURN

In a deeply troubling case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Lower Darwen and Blackburn, a man named Robert Isherwood, aged 67, was found guilty of heinous acts of child abuse that spanned over several years. The court proceedings revealed that Isherwood, a company director based in Manchester, had subjected a young girl to prolonged sexual abuse for more than seven years, a revelation that has left the community and the victims' families devastated.

Additionally, it was disclosed that Isherwood had also targeted another schoolgirl over a period of two years, further compounding the severity of his crimes. Despite admitting to seven counts of indecent assault and four counts of sexual assault, the court sentenced him to a 26-week jail term, which was suspended for two years. As part of his sentence, Isherwood was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid community service, a decision that many have criticized as being too lenient given the gravity of his offenses.

Following the sentencing, the mother of one of the victims expressed her profound disappointment and distress. She described the impact of the abuse as having a “profound effect” on her daughter, emphasizing her outrage that Isherwood was not given a custodial sentence. She stated, “He is a despicable man who has shown no remorse for what he has done. My daughter will never recover from her ordeal. I can’t stand him.” She added, “He targeted a vulnerable girl and made her life a misery.”

Prosecutor Amy Nicholson detailed the extent of Isherwood’s misconduct, highlighting that the abuse was both persistent and devastating. She explained that the victims endured unwelcome attention, with Isherwood asking them for kisses and holding them closely without consent. The court was also told that there was sexual touching involved in the incidents.

One of the victims had even contemplated suicide, illustrating the profound psychological toll the abuse had taken. Nicholson described how the trauma affected both girls’ lives, noting that one girl fell ill, missed significant amounts of school, suffered sleep deprivation, and lost her appetite. The other girl reported that her schooling and relationships with boyfriends were adversely affected by the abuse.

The case came to light after the victims bravely came forward to police, prompting an investigation that uncovered the extent of Isherwood’s misconduct. During the hearing, defense lawyer Simon Mintz emphasized Isherwood’s previously good character and his history of being divorced four times. Mintz acknowledged the seriousness of the offenses but suggested that Isherwood had “confused the boundaries of what is appropriate behavior.”

In addition to his sentence, Isherwood was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits him from having contact with girls under the age of sixteen. Judge Andrew Woolman, presiding over the case, stated, “In view of your guilty plea and previous good character, I will suspend the sentence. You have sexually abused these two girls over many years. You knew exactly what you were doing. It was wrong, and you knew it. These girls have been seriously affected, and that is entirely your responsibility.”

Following the case, Detective Constable Andy Bunting commented on the profound impact the abuse had on the victims. He said, “These offences have affected both girls in a profound way. One of the girls stopped going out, her schooling suffered, and she stopped eating properly. The other girl blamed herself, went quiet, and became isolated and fearful of others.” The case has left a lasting scar on the community of Lower Darwen and Blackburn, highlighting the importance of vigilance and support for victims of such heinous crimes.