STUART YOUNG FROM PRESTON INVOLVED IN SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL AT LANCASTER CARE HOMES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Stuart Young, a man with a criminal history, has been linked to a series of heinous sexual offenses involving vulnerable boys in care homes across Lancashire. Young, 28, formerly residing in Broadgate, Preston, is already serving a life sentence for the brutal murder of war veteran Albert Fielding, whom he bludgeoned with a hammer, fracturing his skull and stealing £160 from the elderly man's wallet in 2011.

Recent revelations have uncovered that Young, who experienced a troubled childhood marked by instability and a lack of positive role models, engaged in the sexual abuse of young boys he met during his time in various care settings. It has been reported that he raped one of these boys over thirty times during a three-year period, with the victim being between the ages of 10 and 13 at the time. The abuse inflicted severe psychological trauma, as detailed in victim impact statements presented during court proceedings.

Adding to the gravity of the case, Brendan Wharton, aged 29 and also from Preston, who met Young while in foster care, admitted to participating in some of the sexual assaults. Wharton, who described Young as “evil” and a “vicious lad,” began a relationship with Young during their teenage years. The allegations surfaced publicly in April of the previous year when one of the victims disclosed the abuse to a social worker, prompting a police investigation. During the inquiry, Wharton was arrested and provided the names of other boys he remembered being involved.

Young was also detained but chose not to comment when questioned by authorities. Investigations revealed that four men in total had been subjected to abuse by the pair. One victim recounted being raped repeatedly by Young, while another described an attempted rape. One individual was indecently assaulted solely by Wharton, and two victims reported abuse by both men. The victims ranged in age from as young as nine years old.

Preston Crown Court heard that Young’s troubled childhood contributed to his later criminal behavior. His lack of stable nurturing figures and role models led to a tumultuous adult life, which included substance abuse and ultimately culminated in the murder of Mr. Fielding. The court also heard that Wharton struggled with a confused sexual identity, and during sentencing, Judge Anthony Russell QC acknowledged the different circumstances of each defendant. The judge noted that Young’s offenses occurred when he was between 12 and 16 years old, while Wharton was around 13 to 15 during the period of abuse.

Judge Russell emphasized the lasting impact on the victims, stating that the psychological scars inflicted by the abuse have left them feeling damaged. He referenced Young’s previous appearance in court for murder, highlighting the severity of his criminal record, and sentenced him to four years in prison for the sexual offenses, to run concurrently with his life sentence. This sentence will be considered by the parole board when Young becomes eligible for release. Wharton received a sentence of 16 months for his involvement, acknowledging that his actions, while serious, were less extensive than Young’s. Both men admitted to sexual activity in the presence of children, with Young pleading guilty to multiple charges including rape, attempted rape, and indecent assault, and Wharton admitting to indecently assaulting three boys.

This case underscores the tragic failures of the care system in protecting vulnerable children and highlights the long-lasting consequences of abuse inflicted by individuals who were supposed to be their caregivers. The community continues to grapple with the revelations, and authorities remain committed to ensuring justice for the victims involved.