Sexual predator jailed for 16 years for repeated incidents of child sex abuse

A man who sexually assaulted a child over a four-year period has been jailed.

Gary Lewis was found guilty of 7 counts of child sexual abuse following an 5-day re-trial at Chester Crown Court.

The 57-year-old returned to Chester Crown Court on Friday 16 June 2023 where he was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

In addition to his prison sentence, he has also been added to the Sex Offender Register for life.

During the trial the court heard how Lewis began abusing his victim when she was just three years old.

He held a position of trust and was supposed to be caring for her, instead he used his position to fulfil his own sexual gratification.

Over the next four years he subjected her to repeated sexual offences, including indecent exposure and rape. He would force her to watch pornography and encouraged other people to sexually abuse her.

The girl attempted to seek help at the time of the abuse, but Lewis denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the victim was lying.

The abuse finally came to an end in 2003 when all contact between the pair was stopped.

In April 2019 the victim contacted Cheshire Police to report the offences and Lewis was subsequently charged with multiple offences.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Becky Needham, who led the investigation at Halton Public Protection Investigations, said:

“Firstly, I would like to praise the victim for the incredible courage and bravery she has shown throughout this investigation.

“The actions of Lewis are truly abhorrent. He held a position of trust and was supposed to be caring for the victim. Instead, he abused this trust and subjected a vulnerable young child to horrific abuse.

“His abuse understandably has had a lasting impact on the victim. Throughout her childhood her mental health declined, and her education and behaviour at school were also affected.

“It has been a challenging investigation but thankfully, as a result of the courage shown by the victim, Lewis has now been held accountable for his actions.

“While she will never be able to forget the abuse she suffered, I do hope the fact that he is now behind bars where he belongs will provide her with some closure.

“I also hope that his conviction encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward and report the offences..

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

To report any sexual offence, call Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or report online.

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