SAMUEL TIDD SHOCKS CHESTER AND ELTON WITH SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRLS

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Chester and Elton, a 79-year-old man named Samuel Tidd has been convicted of heinous sexual offenses involving young girls. The allegations span a troubling five-year period during which Tidd, a resident of Anvil Close in Elton, engaged in inappropriate and illegal conduct towards girls all under the age of 13.

These serious charges came to light after the victims, who were children at the time, bravely came forward to report the abuse to police and social services. The case was brought before Chester Crown Court, where Tidd faced a four-day trial that revealed the disturbing details of his actions. During the proceedings, Tidd initially claimed that the girls had fabricated the allegations, suggesting they 'liked stories' and were 'making up' the accusations. However, as the trial progressed, he admitted that he might have touched one of the girls while he was 'larking about,' a statement that further implicated him in the offenses.

Prosecutor Myles Wilson emphasized the implausibility of the children’s claims being fabricated, stating that it was not realistic to believe all three victims would conspire to falsely accuse an elderly man of such serious crimes in an attempt to send him to prison. The court heard that the abuse occurred over a span of five years, ceasing only when the victims decided to report the incidents to authorities.

On Monday, Tidd was convicted on multiple counts, including six charges of sexual assault, six counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of sexual touching. He was found not guilty of one additional count of sexual assault on a child under 13. The judge sentenced Tidd to two years in prison, and he was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register, a measure aimed at monitoring his activities post-release.

Throughout the trial, defense lawyer Simon Parry described Tidd as a man of 'excellent character' with no prior convictions, asserting that he had always worked diligently to support his family. Parry maintained that the allegations were fabricated by the children, a claim that was strongly contested by the prosecution.

DC Richard Langford, the officer who led the investigation, described the case as 'disturbing' and praised the victims for their bravery in coming forward. He emphasized that their willingness to confide in detectives was instrumental in bringing Tidd to justice, highlighting the importance of victim support and the courage it takes to report such crimes.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 8 at Chester Crown Court, where Tidd will face the consequences of his actions. The case has left a lasting impact on the communities of Chester and Elton, raising awareness about the importance of protecting children from sexual abuse and ensuring that offenders are held accountable.