Christopher Hindley, a 56-year-old man from Culcheth, was jailed for 12 years following his conviction on 17 child sex offences committed against a young victim in the late 1980s and into the 1990s. The abuse began when the victim was younger than 10 years old, with Hindley, who was over 20 at the time, exploiting his position of trust as a scout leader in Lowton to manipulate and prey upon the child.
The case came to light when the victim bravely came forward, leading to Hindley's arrest and charges by Cheshire Police. Despite pleading not guilty, Hindley was put through a five-day trial at Liverpool Crown Court, where a jury found him guilty of serious offences including indecent assault, gross indecency, and attempted buggery. Prosecutor Siôn ap Mihangel detailed how the abuse occurred over several years, with Hindley making the behaviour seem normal to the victim, who was subjected to significant trauma.
During sentencing on Monday, Judge Katherine Pierpoint remarked on the profound impact of Hindley's actions, stating, 'You made it seem to him as normal behaviour. He had been manipulated by you.' She highlighted that although some offences would now be classified as rape, the court was bound by the sentencing guidelines applicable at the time of the crimes. The judge praised the victim as 'a brave man who stood up to you and gave evidence against you,' noting that his testimony provided closure and a chance to heal.
In a victim impact statement, the complainant described the lasting effects: 'The abuse I suffered has had a significant impact on me. It has eaten me up for years and years. I felt ashamed and dirty, and that I had been taken advantage of.' He added that Hindley had 'stolen my innocence' and expressed concerns about potential other victims, calling Hindley 'a vile paedophile, a dirty, disgusting sexual predator.'
Detective Constable Lauren Cunliffe of Cheshire Police, who led the investigation, welcomed the sentence, saying, 'Hindley took advantage of the victim’s young age and manipulated him into thinking this behaviour was normal, taking away his innocence in the process. The effect on him has been long-lasting.' She noted the additional anguish caused by the trial but commended the victim's bravery. Hindley, residing at Pendle Gardens in Culcheth, must serve two-thirds of his sentence before parole consideration and will be on licence for an additional year upon release. He is also required to sign the sex offenders register for life.
The case was reported by the Leigh Journal, with police issuing a statement emphasising the importance of the conviction in providing hope for the victim's recovery. The victim himself spoke to Wigan Today after the hearing, stating, 'Now that justice has been done, it feels like a great burden has been lifted from me. He has got what he deserves.'