STEPHEN HORGAN FROM ORFORD PLYMOUTH AND WARRINGTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In a case that has shocked the communities of Orford, Plymouth, and Warrington, Stephen Horgan, aged 43, has been sentenced to a total of seven years in prison after being found guilty of serious sexual offenses involving minors. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior that spanned several years and involved multiple allegations.

Horgan, who previously resided in Orford and later moved to Warrington from Plymouth in the early 1990s, was convicted of attempting to rape a young girl. The incident occurred when the girl was under 16, and Horgan, who at the time was employed as a coach driver for Star Line based in Knutsford and later as a bus driver for Gold Line in Haydock, pleaded guilty to the charges of attempted rape and indecent assault during a hearing at Warrington Crown Court in July.

The court was informed that Horgan, who once served in the Army, expressed feelings of shame and disgust during the proceedings regarding his actions towards the older sister of the girl he attempted to assault. The older sister, who was under 16 at the time, initially made accusations against Horgan in 1999. However, she later retracted her allegations. It was only earlier this year that she returned to the police and reaffirmed her claims, leading to the charges being brought against Horgan.

During the trial, Horgan faced additional allegations involving the younger sister of the same girl. Despite the prosecution's efforts, Horgan was found not guilty of raping the younger sibling. Nevertheless, the court's judgment was severe. Judge David Hale sentenced Horgan to six years for the attempted rape and an additional year for the indecent assault.

As part of his sentence, Horgan will be required to register as a sex offender for life, a measure that underscores the gravity of his crimes. Furthermore, he has been disqualified from working with children, effectively barring him from employment in roles that involve contact with minors. The case has left a lasting impact on the victims and highlights ongoing concerns about safeguarding children from sexual predators in communities across the UK.