WILLIAM JAMES FROM CARLISLE AND MORTON SENTENCED FOR SICKENING ABUSE OF THREE GIRLS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Carlisle and Morton, William James, a 70-year-old resident of Bannisdale Way in Morton, has been sentenced to six years in prison for the sexual abuse of three young girls. The court proceedings revealed a pattern of heinous misconduct committed by James, who was found guilty of five separate charges of indecent assault.

Among the victims was a 15-year-old girl, an 11-year-old, and another girl who was slightly older than the youngest victim. The court heard detailed accounts of how James subjected these girls to inappropriate and abusive acts, causing lasting trauma. Despite the overwhelming evidence and the court's recognition of the severity of his crimes, William James continues to deny any wrongdoing. He claims that his victims fabricated their stories in an attempt to secure financial compensation, a stance that the judge and court officials found deeply troubling.

Judge Paul Batty QC, presiding over the case at Carlisle’s crown court, delivered a stern sentence, emphasizing the gravity of James’s actions. The judge remarked that if James had been younger, the sentence might have been significantly longer, indicating the seriousness with which the court viewed his offenses. As part of his punishment, William James was ordered to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life and was explicitly prohibited from having any unsupervised contact with individuals under the age of 18.

The judge described James’s crimes as “revolting,” highlighting the disturbing nature of his misconduct. He also acknowledged the emotional toll on the victims, describing their statements about the impact of the abuse as “harrowing” to read. The court noted that James did not even receive credit for the fact that his victims had to relive their traumatic experiences publicly during the trial, which added to the severity of his sentence.

This case underscores the ongoing issues of safeguarding vulnerable minors and the importance of justice for victims of sexual abuse. The communities of Carlisle and Morton are left to grapple with the aftermath of this disturbing case, which serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and protective measures against such heinous acts.