WILLIAM RILEY FROM WIRRAL SENTENCED TO 19 YEARS FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST VICTIM IN THE 1960S AND 70S

In a case that has spanned decades and brought to light the dark history of abuse, William Riley, a 78-year-old resident of Penkett Road, Liscard, Wirral, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 19 years. The conviction stems from a series of serious sexual offences committed against a single victim during the 1960s and 1970s, a period marked by Riley’s heinous actions that have left a lasting impact on the survivor.

Riley was found guilty on 18 counts, which included the rape of a female under the age of 16, indecent assault on a girl under 16, and gross indecency with a girl under 14. These charges paint a disturbing picture of the abuse that Riley inflicted, crimes that have now been formally recognized and punished by the justice system.

The victim, whose identity remains protected, delivered a heartfelt victim impact statement during the proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court. She recounted the profound and lasting effects of Riley’s abuse on her life. She explained, “Growing up I was very shy of my body especially in school on trips. I did not laugh or joke and I often felt I was not like the other children.”

She further described how the trauma affected her daily life, stating, “The abuse affected my life on a daily basis in many ways including my schooling and relationships. I have lived with the abuse for most of my life and I have not until more recently been able to fully tell anyone about it. Even now I am still feeling quite low in mood and avoiding people. I only seem to feel in control and safe in my own home.”

Expressing her emotional turmoil, she added, “I could never forgive William Riley for what he has done to me because I don’t know at times who I really am.”

The sentencing was welcomed by Merseyside police, who emphasized the importance of bringing offenders like Riley to justice and providing some measure of closure for victims of such grave crimes. The case underscores the long-lasting scars that sexual abuse leaves on victims and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat and prosecute such offenses, regardless of the passage of time.