Russel Thornton

A Derbyshire man, Russel Thornton, has been sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted of multiple counts of sexual abuse against three young girls. The offences, which involved penetrative and non-penetrative sexual activity with girls aged 13 to 15, occurred on separate occasions between 2014 and 2020. One of the victims was just 13 years old at the time of the abuse.

The case came to light when the abuse was reported to Derbyshire Constabulary in 2021. Thornton, then aged 38 and residing at Back Sitwell Street in Derby, was interviewed by police and subsequently summonsed to appear in court. He denied the charges, which included engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15, causing or inciting a girl aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15. Despite his denials, Thornton was found guilty following a trial at Derby Crown Court in November 2025.

During the sentencing hearing at Derby Crown Court, poignant victim impact statements were read out on behalf of the three women, now in their twenties, detailing the profound and lasting trauma caused by Thornton's actions. They described how the abuse affected them as children and continues to impact their lives, compounded by the ordeal of reliving the events through the court process due to Thornton's refusal to admit guilt. The judge imposed a nine-year custodial sentence, along with a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and required Thornton to register as a sex offender with police for life.

Detective Constable Tracey Cass, the officer in charge of the investigation for Derbyshire Constabulary, commended the bravery of the survivors. In a statement reported by the Derbyshire Times, she said: "This has been a long road for the survivors in this case, and I would like to thank the three women for their bravery and stoicism throughout. I would also like to encourage others who have been affected by such offending, now or in the past, to report it to us if you feel able. This case shows we can and do get results, and for survivors it is not just about a prison sentence. It is also the opportunity to speak out in court and tell their story – while a perpetrator is held publicly accountable." The article, published on 3rd March 2026, highlights the ongoing commitment of Derbyshire Constabulary to pursuing justice in sexual abuse cases.