Stuart Williams

Stuart Williams, a 57-year-old man from Blackpool, was found guilty of 17 sexual offences following a 12-day trial at Preston Crown Court. The offences, which spanned several years and included both historic and recent crimes, involved the sexual abuse of children and attempts to groom minors online. Williams was arrested after Lancashire Police, in collaboration with the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for South Wales, identified him as the individual sending inappropriate messages to decoys posing as young girls.

The investigation began when Williams started messaging who he believed to be a 12-year-old girl, sending explicit images and discussing arrangements to meet. Officers arrested him at his address on suspicion of sexual communication with a child. While on bail, he repeated the behaviour by messaging another decoy he thought was a 13-year-old girl, asking for her location and suggesting a meeting. Examination of his phones revealed five Category B and 34 Category C indecent images of children.

Further enquiries uncovered historic offences reported by three women and a fourth adult victim, detailing assaults that occurred in Penwortham and Lytham, including one instance where Williams abused his position of trust as a cleaner in a school. He was charged with three counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14, attempted rape of a female under 16, four counts of sexually assaulting a female aged 13 and over, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of making an indecent photograph of a child, three counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child, and possession of indecent images.

Williams pleaded not guilty and denied the charges during the trial. However, while giving evidence, he inadvertently admitted to two additional offences of making indecent images of children. The jury deliberated for just three hours before convicting him on all counts. Sentencing occurred at Preston Crown Court, where he received a 12-year custodial sentence, applied under the legislation in force at the time of the offences, as they predated current laws.

The victims provided powerful Victim Personal Statements to the court, highlighting the profound and lasting impact of Williams' actions. One victim stated: '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.' Another expressed: '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.' DC Hannah Sturgess of Preston CID described Williams as a despicable paedophile who preyed on children and abused positions of trust, crediting the victims' courage for bringing him to justice.