Kenneth Shaw

Kenneth Shaw, of Northway in Orford, was convicted of historic sexual offences against four children. The abuse took place over several decades when Shaw was aged between 15 and 31. The offences occurred in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

The court heard that Shaw abused a young girl aged between three and five by making his genitals touch hers. A second victim, a girl aged between eight and nine, was abused when Shaw performed a sex act on himself while touching her genitals. Shaw also performed a sex act on himself in front of a boy aged between six and 10 before forcing him to engage in the act. A fourth victim, a girl aged between three and seven, was abused in the same manner.

Shaw initially denied the abuse but later changed his plea to guilty. Judge Simon Medland initially sentenced him to six years' imprisonment at Liverpool Crown Court. Following a subsequent hearing, the sentence was reduced to three years because the judge considered it was 'greatly longer than was needed' and had given too much weight to punishment rather than mitigation.

Shaw will serve no more than half of the three-year term, meaning a maximum of 18 months in custody. He must also abide by a sexual harm prevention order until further order and will remain on the sex offenders register for life. Restraining orders were granted in respect of each victim until further order.

Detective Inspector Jo Morgan of Cheshire Police said: "Shaw committed some atrocious crimes against four young victims, the impact of which stayed with them throughout their childhoods and adult lives." She added that Shaw "must have thought he had got away with what he had done, but as this case shows, it is never too late to report offences."

The case was reported by the Warrington Guardian on 7th May.