WILLIAM “BILLY” UNSWORTH JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE AT CONGLETON CARAVAN PARK IN ST HELENS

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Congleton and St Helens, William “Billy” Unsworth has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for heinous acts of child abuse that took place over two decades ago. The offences occurred between 1989 and 1991 at a caravan situated in Congleton, Cheshire, where Unsworth, a gas fitter by profession, committed these despicable acts against young boys.

Unsworth, who was residing in the Sutton Leach area of St Helens at the time of his arrest, was brought to justice after a lengthy investigation. The victims, who were between the ages of 12 and 14 during the time of the abuse, courageously testified against him in Chester Crown Court, providing detailed accounts of the assaults. Despite maintaining his innocence throughout the trial, Unsworth was convicted on charges of indecent assault on children and gross indecency with a minor.

The investigation was led by Detective Constable Melanie Taylor of Cheshire Police, who praised the bravery of the victims for coming forward after so many years. She emphasized that their courage was instrumental in securing justice and expressed hope that this case would serve as a reminder that no crime, regardless of how much time has passed, should go unpunished. Detective Taylor also urged other victims of similar abuse to come forward, assuring them that their allegations would be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.

The case came to light when one of the victims, now in his early 30s, began experiencing severe trauma and sought help from law enforcement. His testimony, along with that of other victims, was pivotal in establishing Unsworth’s guilt. The victim, whose identity remains protected under anonymity laws, described Unsworth as a “nasty, vile man who needs locking up,” reflecting the deep impact of the abuse on his life.

As part of his sentencing, Unsworth, who is 62 years old and resides on Lyon Street in St Helens, has been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for the remainder of his life. Additionally, he has been disqualified from working with children, a measure aimed at preventing any future harm. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and the need for victims to come forward, regardless of how much time has elapsed since the abuse occurred, to ensure justice is served and to protect others from potential harm.