WILLIAM MCNAUGHTON FROM BISHOP'S STORTFORD SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AND DRUG CRIMES IN ESSEX

In a case that has shocked the local community of Bishop’s Stortford and the surrounding Essex area, William McNaughton, a 56-year-old former lorry driver, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of a series of heinous crimes spanning over a decade. The offences, which involved the sexual exploitation and abuse of three young girls, were committed between 1995 and 2008, with the victims ranging in age from just eight to 12 years old at the time of the abuse.

McNaughton, who previously resided in Bishop’s Stortford but later moved to Chapel End, Broxted, was found guilty of eight separate charges following a detailed trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. The charges included one count of rape, three counts of indecent assault, one of sexual activity with a child, two indecency offences, and one assault by penetration. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to five offences related to supplying Class A drugs, specifically cocaine and ecstasy, to the young girls, who were approximately 10 or 11 years old at the time.

Throughout the proceedings, it was revealed that McNaughton had used drugs as a means to manipulate and control his victims. Prosecutor Andrew Jackson described how the defendant provided the girls with cocaine and ecstasy, substances that caused hallucinations and made them feel physically ill. The court heard that McNaughton’s actions were driven by a selfish and perverse desire, with the defendant reportedly forcing one of the victims to view explicit teen pornography on the internet, further demonstrating his manipulative and controlling nature.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Karen Walden Smith expressed her profound concern over the risk of reoffending, describing McNaughton as controlling, perverse, and manipulative. She emphasized that his victims were terrified of him and that he derived pleasure from the danger and risk associated with abusing children in situations where he could have been caught. The judge stated, “You enjoyed the risk taking, of abusing these children in situations where you could have been discovered.”

For the most serious offence, the rape of a girl aged between eight and 12, McNaughton was sentenced to 18 years in prison. The judge ordered that he serve two-thirds of this sentence before being eligible to apply for parole. An extended sentence was also imposed, meaning he will be on licence for a total of 12 years after his release. In addition to the primary sentence, McNaughton received concurrent terms of four years for drug supply, along with sentences of five, three, 18 months, and 14 months for the other sexual offences.

Prior to his conviction, McNaughton had been in custody since before Christmas, awaiting sentencing. The case was brought to light after the victims reported their experiences to police in March of the previous year. The court proceedings also revealed the emotional toll on McNaughton’s partner, who, as he was led away in custody, rushed into the courtroom crying out her love for him, though she was ultimately stopped from saying goodbye.

Overall, this case highlights the disturbing extent of William McNaughton’s crimes and the devastating impact on his young victims. The court’s decision reflects the severity of his actions and the need to protect the community from such predatory behavior.