WILLIAM ‘BILL’ POTTER SENTENCED IN WIDNES AND DUNSFORD FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Widnes and Dunsford, William ‘Bill’ Potter, an 86-year-old man, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offenses involving young girls. The case, which was heard at Warrington Crown Court, revealed a pattern of abuse that spanned several years and involved manipulative and predatory behavior.

William ‘Bill’ Potter, a resident of Dunsford, was identified as a convicted paedophile who had targeted two young girls, one of whom was only three years old at the time of the initial abuse. The court heard that Potter, who also sang in a community choir, began molesting his first victim in the early 1990s. The girl, now aged 20, recounted how the abuse started when she was just three years old, with Potter repeatedly touching her inappropriately over the course of a year. She described the assaults as ongoing and traumatic, noting that Potter would often smile “like it was normal,” and that the abuse “seemed to go on forever.”

Further details emerged about Potter’s manipulative tactics. A relative of the first victim revealed that Potter had sent her letters regularly for approximately three years, sometimes including condoms, and signed them with the alias ‘Rambo’. These letters, sent once a month, were part of his attempt to maintain contact and control over the victim. The relative also disclosed that Potter had called her, trying to disguise his voice and apologizing for the correspondence, indicating a calculated effort to continue his grooming behavior.

The second victim, a nine-year-old girl, provided testimony about Potter’s predatory actions. She described how he would expose himself to her and speak in a whispery voice, instructing her on what to do during the incidents. The court heard that Potter would put his hand inside her underwear despite her pleas for him to stop, demonstrating a clear pattern of sexual assault and exploitation. These acts included touching her inappropriately and ignoring her protests, further emphasizing the severity of his misconduct.

During the trial, defense lawyer Michael Wolff questioned why both girls did not report the abuse immediately after it occurred, suggesting a lack of awareness or understanding. However, prosecutor Julian Goode responded firmly, stating, “Isn’t that why some children are vulnerable, because they wouldn’t know what to do?” This exchange underscored the complex issues surrounding child abuse and the difficulties victims face in coming forward.

William ‘Bill’ Potter was charged with multiple offenses, including indecent assault, assault of a child under 13 involving penetration, and causing a child under 10 to engage in sexual activity. He had consistently denied all allegations, maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings. Despite his denials, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him on all counts, leading to his 11-year imprisonment. The sentencing reflects the gravity of his crimes and the community’s demand for justice in cases of child sexual abuse.