December 2014 Pensioner jailed for abusing a schoolgirl A pensioner has been jailed for nine years for a string of indecent assaults against a girl in the 1980s and 1990s. Alan Armstrong, 71, of Ribble Avenue, Southport, was convicted of 12 counts of abusing the girl, who was aged between eight and 13, when he lived at his mother’s home in Acregate Lane, Ribbleton, Preston. The victim, now in her 30s, told police she was also abused by a man called Tommy Rushton, a married grandfather, who was trusted by her mum to take her to school from the age of seven. The court heard he would assault her in his home or in his car, and then give her money afterwards. The man then took her to the home of Armstrong, who was in his 50s, and he would abuse her in a similar way and tell her “not to tell anyone”. Rushton has since died. Retired Royal Mail worker Armstrong had denied the allegations. He told Preston Crown Court he had sex with her but claimed it happened on two occasions when she was 16, and that he gave her money. He was jailed by Judge Jacqueline Beech at court yesterday. DC Warren Gibson, of Lancashire Police, who investigated the case, said the victim had shown bravery in coming forward. He said: “The victim has had to live with this abuse for 30 years, during which her life has suffered. “There is no doubt whatsoever the abuse suffered by her has contributed and played a significant part in her life as she fought to forget what happened all those years ago. “The victim initially made contact in 2011 to make her complaint but, due to a number of health issues, they were not followed up until 2013 when she had the bravery to confront her demons and make a full complaint to the police in trying to identify the one living offender.” October 2014 Pensioner found guilty for string of indecent assaults against a girl in the 1980s and 1990s Alan Armstrong, 71, of Ribble Avenue, Southport, denied abusing the girl, who was aged between eight and 13, when he lived at his mother’s home in Acregate Lane, Ribbleton, Preston. The victim, now in her 30s, told police she was abused by a man called Tommy Rushton, a married grandfather, who was trusted by her mum to take her to school from the age of seven. The court heard he would assault her in his home or in his car, and then give her money afterwards. The man then took her to the home of Armstrong, who was in his 50s, and he would abuse her in a similar way and tell her “not to tell anyone”. Rushton has since died. Retired Royal Mail worker Armstrong told the court he had sex with the her but claimed it happened on two occasions when she was 16, and that he gave her money. The jury at Preston Crown Court heard him describe it as a “commercial arrangement”, but did not accept his version of events and he was convicted at Preston Crown Court of 12 counts. DC Warren Gibson, of Lancashire Police, said: “The victim has had to live with this abuse for 30 years, during which her life has suffered. “There is no doubt whatsoever the abuse suffered by her has contributed and played a significant part in her life as she fought to forget about what happened all those years ago. “The victim initially made contact in 2011 to make her complaint but due to a number of health issues they were not followed up until 2013 when she had the bravery to confront her demons and make a full complaint to the police in trying to identify the one living offender.” Armstrong will be sentenced on December 1.