THOMAS ALLAN FROM DARWEN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN PRESTON COURT

In March 2011, a 75-year-old man from Darwen named Thomas Allan was sentenced to 11 years in prison after admitting to a series of heinous child sexual offences spanning nearly four decades. Allan, residing on Sudellside Road in Darwen, pleaded guilty to a total of 18 separate charges that included indecent assault, acts of indecency with a child, attempted rape, and rape, with incidents dating back from 1967 through 2004.

Preston Crown Court was informed that Allan’s disturbing history extended beyond these recent offences. It was revealed that he had three prior convictions for four separate counts of indecent exposure involving young girls, which occurred in the years 1963, 1970, and 1972. These earlier convictions painted a troubling picture of a man with a long-standing pattern of predatory behavior.

During the court proceedings, the prosecution, led by Lynne Worsley, detailed some of Allan’s disturbing actions. One particularly unsettling claim was made by Allan himself, who told one of his victims that she could not become pregnant because he had undergone a vasectomy, a statement that underscored the manipulative and abusive nature of his conduct.

Allan, who has been married for nearly 50 years and is a grandfather, appeared in court with his barrister, Richard Hunt. The defense acknowledged the gravity of Allan’s actions, with Hunt stating, “He has been hiding an enormous lie which has now been exposed. His wife has been visiting him in prison on a monthly basis, but he recognizes that everything he has built in his life is now at risk of falling apart.”

Judge Heather Lloyd delivered a stern verdict, condemning Allan’s actions for having robbed four children of their innocence and a carefree childhood. The judge highlighted the emotional toll inflicted on the victims, including a letter from one who expressed feelings of lost confidence, depression, loneliness, and a sense of being overwhelmed by the trauma.

In her sentencing remarks, Judge Lloyd emphasized that the victims were left feeling “dirty, distressed, and bewildered,” and she expressed her skepticism about Allan’s claims to a probation officer that he was not sexually attracted to children. The judge described such assertions as either a lie or a sign of delusion.

As part of his sentence, Allan was issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits him from being alone with children upon his release from prison. Additionally, two further counts of sexual assault on a child remain on file, indicating ongoing concerns about his conduct.

Commenting on the case, Accrington Police’s Detective Constable Lyndsey Vaughton stated, “Allan’s offences are appalling, and the impact on his victims will never be fully rectified. I only hope that this sentence will bring some measure of closure to those affected.”