Man jailed for historic sexual abuse in Runcorn

 

A man from Frodsham has been jailed for sexually abusing a child in Runcorn.

Kevin Griffiths appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 5 October where he was sentenced to nine years in prison and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

The 66-year-old of Ship Street, Frodsham, was earlier found guilty of six counts of sexual offences against a child following a week-long trial at Chester Crown Court in August 2023.

During the trial, the court heard how the offences began in 1995, when the victim was just five years old.

Griffiths was supposed to babysitting the victim, but instead of looking after them he repeatedly sexually abused the child over a two-year period.

Detective Constable Beth Colbourne, who led the investigation, said:

“What Griffiths did was every parents’ worst nightmare.

“He was trusted to look after the victim, but instead of caring for them he preyed on their vulnerability. He would take the victim to bed, under the pretext that he was going to read a story, but once they we’re in the bedroom he sexually abused them, causing untold harm and distress.

“It is a testament to the strength, bravery and determination of the victim in this case that we have been able bring Griffiths to justice, more than 30 years since the offences occurred. I hope that the conclusion of this case will provide them with some closure and help them with their recovery.

“Sexual assault of children causes terrible distress to all involved, not least the victim themselves, and I urge anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault – no matter how long ago the incident took place – to come forward and report it.

“We treat all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority, and any allegations will be thoroughly investigated.”

If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, or know of someone who has, please call us on 101 or visit www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/how-to-report-rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

Information can also be reported anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.