THOMAS WILKINSON, NOW LIVING IN PETERBOROUGH, SENTENCED IN CARLISLE

In April 2005, Thomas Wilkinson, now residing in Peterborough as of November 2015, was sentenced to eight years in prison for his involvement in a series of heinous sexual offenses. Wilkinson, a serial paedophile, attempted to rape a girl with severe learning difficulties in Carlisle.

He had spent months grooming the 13-year-old victim with money and gifts before attempting to assault her at his home on Stockwell Road, Durdar, in March of the previous year. Wilkinson was also convicted of engaging in sexual activities with the vulnerable girl on a later occasion.

At Carlisle Crown Court, Judge John Phillips described Wilkinson as a prime example of a predatory paedophile. He stated, “Your previous offending taken with the current offences led me to conclude that your offences against young girls show no signs of stopping. She was an immature and very vulnerable young girl who placed great trust and confidence in you. In March last year, you abused that trust in the vilest way—you attempted to rape her. Young girls require protection from you.”

Wilkinson, aged 53 at the time of sentencing, maintained his innocence but was found guilty. His trial in March was noted as the most high-profile in the county to incorporate new legislation under The Criminal Justice Act, which permits juries to hear details of a defendant’s prior convictions if they demonstrate a pattern of similar offenses. Police said that without access to Wilkinson’s criminal history, he might have avoided conviction.

Historical convictions included a 1975 guilty plea at Newcastle Crown Court when Wilkinson was 24, admitting to indecent assault on a 14-year-old girl and sexual intercourse with a girl under 16. In 1988, he admitted to indecent assaults on two young girls aged six and nine. Further, in 1994, at age 43, Wilkinson pleaded guilty to additional sexual offenses committed against a 12-year-old girl.

The court heard how undercover officers observed Wilkinson engaging in a sexual act with the girl in Hammond’s Pond park last August. When police interviewed the victim, she disclosed that Wilkinson had attempted to rape her five months earlier.

Detective Sergeant Neil Swainson of North Cumbria’s child and adult protection unit commented on the case, saying, “This sentence reflects the seriousness of the offenses and the risk he poses to young girls. By grooming the girl and committing these acts, he exhibited the classic behavior of a predatory paedophile. This case was difficult, and the outcome also reflects the diligent work of the officers involved.”

During sentencing, Wilkinson showed no emotion except for a brief glance at his son in the public gallery. The court also ordered him to be disqualified from working with children and mandated lifelong registration as a sex offender.