SHANE ROBERTS FROM PADGATE SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD RAPE IN WARRINGTON

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Padgate, Shane Roberts, a 30-year-old resident of the area, was found guilty of a prolonged and disturbing campaign of sexual abuse against a young girl. The conviction was handed down at Warrington Crown Court on a recent Friday, following a trial that revealed the extent of Roberts' heinous actions.

Roberts faced charges of six counts of rape and one count of sexual activity with a child. The charges stemmed from a series of assaults that began when the victim was only four years old, starting in September 2008. The young girl, now six, was subjected to repeated abuse over a period of nearly three years, with the incidents continuing until November of the previous year.

The prosecution, led by barrister Matthew Dunford, detailed how Roberts had repeatedly raped the child, with the indictment including only a selection of the abuse instances, suggesting that the actual number of assaults was likely much higher. The court was told that the victim’s suffering was ongoing and that Roberts’ actions had caused significant trauma.

The case took a dramatic turn when Roberts was caught in the act by the victim’s mother during a confrontation on Bonfire Night. The mother discovered Roberts abusing the girl, which led to his immediate flight from the scene. However, Roberts later surrendered himself to police at approximately 2 a.m. on November 6. During police interviews, he signed a confession but later denied the allegations, claiming that the accusations were ‘sick’.

Following a five-day trial, the jury found Roberts guilty on all counts. The young girl, who was called to give evidence via video link, recounted how Roberts had threatened her into performing sexual acts, warning her that she would be touched if she refused, which she described as causing her pain. Her testimony was marked by her innocence and fear, and her account was corroborated by her emotional video evidence.

Throughout her testimony, Roberts remained impassive, a demeanor that Judge Thomas Teague described as ‘striking’. The girl also revealed that she had not confided in her mother earlier because she was afraid of getting into trouble, highlighting the child's vulnerability and the manipulative nature of Roberts’ abuse.

During the trial, Roberts’ defense attorney, Eric Lamb, questioned the young girl about the allegations, asking if she had fabricated the story. The girl firmly responded ‘no’ and confirmed that the first incident of rape occurred when she was in reception at primary school.

Following the verdict, Judge Teague addressed Roberts directly, noting his lack of emotional response during the child's video testimony. The judge emphasized the gravity of the case and the disturbing nature of Roberts’ conduct, which had inflicted lasting harm on a vulnerable young victim. The court’s decision underscores the severity of the crime and the community’s demand for justice in the face of such a disturbing case of child abuse in Padgate.