ROBERT JONES FROM MORETON SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN LIVERPOOL

In a harrowing case that has shocked the local community, Robert Jones, a 70-year-old man from Moreton, was found guilty of multiple serious sexual offenses involving young girls. The allegations span several decades, with the earliest incidents dating back to his time working as a caretaker at Sudley Junior School in Aigburth during the early 1970s.

Jones's dark past was brought to light during a court trial at Liverpool Crown Court, revealing a disturbing pattern of abuse that he committed while employed at educational institutions. It was disclosed that, at the age of 20, Jones exposed himself to two young girls in the school’s toilets, an act that marked the beginning of a series of predatory behaviors.

Despite these early allegations, Jones managed to secure a position at Liverpool Polytechnic, which later became Liverpool John Moores University. It was during his tenure there that he committed further heinous acts. The court heard that he subjected a young girl to depraved sexual abuse, acts that only came to light many years later. The victim, who came forward in 2018 after enduring years of emotional trauma, recounted how Jones threatened her, warning that if she told her father, her father would 'batter' him, and it would be her father, not Jones, who would end up in prison.

Prosecutors detailed the victim’s account, emphasizing the long-lasting impact of Jones’s actions. The woman, now an adult, testified that Jones began abusing her when she was just six years old. She described how he would touch her inappropriately, including touching her genital area, and perform sexual acts in front of her on multiple occasions. On one such occasion, he instructed her to perform a similar act on him, which she reluctantly did.

The court also heard that Jones took the girl to a secluded country lane near Speke Airport, where he exposed himself and coerced her into touching him. He promised to buy her gifts if she complied. The young girl, feeling uncomfortable and unsure, knew she did not want to participate but was manipulated into performing the acts. On another occasion, when she was around nine or ten, Jones lowered his trousers and rubbed himself against her while she was clothed.

Further disturbing details emerged when the victim recounted how Jones asked if he could touch her breasts, claiming it would make them grow bigger. She also described an incident where he touched her genital area over her clothing under the guise of a game, when she was approximately nine years old.

As she matured, the victim became more aware of the wrongfulness of Jones’s actions. She told him she would inform her father, but Jones threatened her, warning that her father would 'batter' him and that her father would go to jail. Despite her growing resistance, Jones continued to manipulate her with offers of gifts and other inducements. The victim eventually began to stand up to him, refusing his advances and saying 'no.'

Throughout the trial, Jones denied all allegations, claiming he had never sexually abused the girl. He accused her of lying and insisted he had no sexual interest in children. His defense was supported by a police record indicating he had no previous convictions, apart from an old driving offence. However, during the pre-sentence investigation, it was revealed that Jones had a conviction from July 1972 for indecent exposure with intent to insult a female, under the Vagrancy Act, which had been omitted from the initial police record.

Further inquiries confirmed that at the time of the offences, Jones was working as a caretaker at Sudley Junior School in Aigburth Road. It was established that he had entered a toilet while two six-year-old children were present and exposed himself, an act that compounded his criminal history.

Judge Anil Murray sentenced Jones to five years in prison. The judge also ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Additionally, Jones faced accusations from two other women, who alleged that he had sexually abused them as children during the 1970s and 1980s. However, the jury was unable to reach verdicts on these allegations, and prosecutors decided to leave those cases on file.

Jones’s case highlights the long-lasting effects of childhood abuse and the importance of justice for victims. His actions, spanning decades, have left a profound impact on the lives of those he harmed, and his sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and accountability in protecting vulnerable children.