Man jailed for 22 years for historic sexual offences against four children

A 57-year-old man who sexually abused four people has been jailed for a total of 22 years with 2 further years on prison licence.

Anthony Hulme, of London Road in Nantwich, physically and sexually assaulted two men and two women over a number of years.

It occurred at his home address in Winsford as well as other places in Cheshire and while on holiday in the United Kingdom between 1981 and 1988.

Two of the victims were aged two and three when he sexually assaulted them while babysitting at their home in Cheshire.

Between 1981 and 1988 he sexually assaulted, raped and physically abused another victim from the age of eight until they were in their late teens.

The fourth victim was abused by Hulme when he was nine years old and it continued for a number of years.

Hulme was found guilty of two counts of gross indecency with a girl under 14 years of age and six counts of gross indecency with a boy under the age of 14.

He was also convicted of committing buggery with a boy under the age of 16, two counts of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 16 and two counts of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14.

The trial took place over eight days at Chester Crown Court and he was sentenced on Friday 3 September.

Hulme will also serve two further years on prison licence.

Detective Sergeant Paul Nolan, from the Major Investigation Team, said: “Hulme subjected each of his victims to horrific abuse both physically and sexually over a long period of time when they were babies or young children.

“It has taken great courage for them to disclose what happened and to go through the process to ensure justice was served.

“The conviction and sentence is testament to their bravery in coming forward and providing such difficult, upsetting and harrowing evidence. I hope it now provides them with a form of closure and although they will never forget what happened, they can begin a new chapter in their lives.”