Blackpool paedophile jailed after being found guilty of catalogue of sexual offences

A former school caretaker who targeted children online and committed a string of sexual offences has been jailed for 12 years.

Stuart Williams, 57, formerly of Moore Street in Blackpool, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court after a jury found him guilty of 17 offences following a 12-day trial.

Williams was caught in his despicable crimes by officers from Lancashire Police, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for South Wales , when he began messaging who he thought was a 12-year-old girl.

Williams proceeded to send inappropriate messages and images and discussed arrangements meet up with the child.

Enquiries led officers to identify the person messaging as Williams. They attended his address, where he was arrested on suspicion of sexual communication with a child.

Following his arrest, he was bailed with conditions whilst our enquiries continued. Whilst on bail, he began messaging another person online, who he believed was a 13-year-old girl.

Williams began asking the girl where she lived, and sending inappropriate messages, suggesting they meet up.

In this case, the people Williams was speaking to were not real children.

When Williams’ phones was later examined, our officers found 5 category B indecent images of children, and 34 category C indecent images of children.

As part of enquiries, police spoke to three women who had made reports of historic sexual offences committed by Williams. A fourth, adult victim also came forward and disclosed sexual offences committed by Williams to police.

These offences took place in Penwortham and Lytham, one of which whilst he was working as a school caretaker.

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Williams, formerly of Moore Street, Blackpool was charged with a number of offences.

These are:

• Three counts of indecent assaults of a girl under the age of 14.
• Attempted rape of a female under the age of 16.
• Four counts of sexually assaulting a female age 13 and over.
• Two counts of sexual assault of a female.
• Two counts of making an indecent photograph of a child.
• Three counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child.
• Possession of Category B indecent images of children
• Possession of Category C indecent images of children.

Williams denied the offences, pleading not guilty and running a 12-day trial. During that trial, Williams inadvertently admitted to a further two offences of making indecent images of children whilst he was giving evidence.

A jury saw through his lies in just three hours and found him guilty of all the offences.

He appeared back in the dock at Preston Crown Court, where he was sentenced to 12 years last week.

As Williams' offending took place before the current legislation, he was sentenced in accordance with the legislation at the time of his offending.

Williams’ victims all provided Victim Personal Statements to the court prior to his sentencing.

One victim said: “This experience has had a profound and lasting effect on my life.

“Although the court case has concluded, the impact of Williams actions has not. I continue to live with the emotional and psychological consequences every day.

“The assault has affected my sense of safety, my independence, my mental health, and my ability to live a normal life.

“These effects are ongoing and will remain with me for the foreseeable future.”

Another victim said: “For years, I didn’t report it. I thought my trauma wasn’t “bad enough” compared to others. But I know now it was. It mattered. And I feel guilt. Guilt that by staying silent, I might have allowed him to hurt others. That thought haunts me.

“Stuart, I hope you truly understand the devastation you caused. I hope you reflect on the lifelong harm you’ve inflicted—not just on me, but on others. And I hope you seek help for your deviant behaviour, because what you've done has destroyed lives.”

DC Hannah Sturgess of Preston CID said: “Firstly, I want to mention the victims. Their courage and strength in coming forward and disclosing what Williams had done to them undoubtedly helped us bring him to justice. I hope they can now begin to move forward with their lives knowing that he is behind bars.

“Williams is a despicable paedophile. He preyed on people, some of whom were children and in one case abused his position of trust as a school employee.

“He was caught out messaging who he thought were children online. I am thankful that these people were in fact highly-trained police officers, meaning that Williams couldn’t abuse more children online. I’m grateful to my Regional Organised Crime Unit colleagues in the North West and South Wales for their work during this investigation.

“I want to send a message to anyone reading this today who may be a victim of any sexual offence. Please know that if you make a report to us, we will listen to you, we will investigate appropriately and we will do all we can to get you justice.”

 DI Jon Weir from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit said: "This case demonstrates that those who exploit or harm children, whether online or in person, will be relentlessly pursued and held to account.

“No offender is invisible behind a screen. Our officers work tirelessly with partners across the UK to identify those who pose a threat to children and ensure they face justice.

“Sexual abuse recognises no boundaries, and its impact can last a lifetime. If you or someone you know is being abused, please speak out. Support is available, and your information could protect a child from further harm."

DI Rich Davies, from Tarian ROCU, said: “It is our absolute priority to protect the children in our communities, and I am grateful to our colleagues in Lancashire Constabulary for their meticulous investigation into this appalling case.

“The sentencing of Stuart Williams, a highly dangerous sexual predator, will serve as a warning to others, and help ensure that vulnerable children are protected from the risk he poses.” 

You can make a report to us on 101 or using our online portal.