ROBERT URCH FROM CARDIFF, TODMORDEN, AND WIDNES JAILED FOR 36 YEARS OF CHILD ABUSE
In a disturbing case that has spanned over three decades, Robert Urch, a 65-year-old man with connections to Cardiff, Todmorden, and Widnes, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for a series of heinous crimes involving the abuse of children.The offences, which include child cruelty, indecency with a minor, indecent assault, and inciting children to engage in sexual activities, were admitted by Urch during a court hearing at Bradford Crown Court on Friday, March 2.
Urch’s criminal history is extensive, with the court hearing that he had previously confessed to multiple offences against four different children.
The judge presiding over the case, Judge John Potter, described the severity and frequency of the abuse, stating that six of the charges involved acts of sexual abuse committed on three children on a regular, at least weekly, basis.
The judge emphasized that these acts involved gross acts of deviant wickedness, with Urch encouraging the children to participate in such acts for his own perverted sexual gratification.
The court detailed some of the most disturbing aspects of Urch’s crimes.
It was revealed that he made an eight-year-old girl carry out sexual acts on him while he was living in Cardiff between 1973 and 1974.
Additionally, he was found to have physically abused a young boy with a dog chain and, when the boy was just ten years old, forced him to watch as Urch engaged in sexual activity with his girlfriend, claiming it was “part of his sex education.” Further allegations included Urch forcing an eight-year-old girl to perform sex acts on him, having sexual encounters in front of a ten-year-old boy, and attempting to persuade two young girls to carry out sexual acts on him.
Prosecutor Kitty Taylor stated that these offences occurred approximately 30 times, either in Urch’s car or at his residence.
Between 2000 and 2001, after moving to Todmorden, West Yorkshire, following the death of his wife, Urch inappropriately touched a young girl’s breasts.
He also admitted to trying to coerce another nine-year-old girl into performing sex acts on him between 2007 and 2008, although she refused.
During this incident, Urch showed her a pornographic film on his computer and masturbated in front of her.
Judge Potter condemned Urch’s actions, stating that his victims had been left with “deep psychological scars.” The judge also acknowledged that the victims might feel regret for not speaking out sooner, but firmly reassured them that they are in no way to blame for the harm caused by Urch’s wickedness.
The court’s decision underscores the gravity of Urch’s crimes and the lasting impact on those he victimized.
