ALAN FOULKES FROM CREWE SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN BARROW

In April 2021, a disturbing case unfolded involving Alan Foulkes, an 80-year-old resident of Crewe, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl at a residence in Barrow. The incident has shocked the local community and brought to light the hidden darkness behind what many believed to be a respectable individual.

Friends and family members of Foulkes had always regarded him as a “good, honest, member of society,” unaware of his secret life. Behind closed doors, however, Foulkes was engaging in disturbing online searches, looking for sickening stories of sexual abuse to satisfy his own deviant fantasies. This behavior was uncovered during the investigation, revealing a troubling pattern of predatory interests.

The court heard that Foulkes, during a game of tickling with the young girl, had inappropriately touched her under her clothes. The incident took place in a private residence in Barrow, where the abuse occurred. The young girl, only six years old, was subjected to this assault, which caused significant distress and trauma.

Initially, Foulkes denied the allegations, claiming that the girl’s account was based on her “vivid imagination.” His denial persisted until the trial reached a critical point. During the proceedings at Preston Crown Court, the defendant was presented with recorded testimony from the child recounting what had happened. Confronted with this evidence, Foulkes ultimately admitted to the offense from the dock, acknowledging his guilt.

The court process was arduous for the young victim, who was subjected to two intrusive medical examinations to assess the extent of the abuse. She also faced the daunting prospect of giving evidence in court, which added to her trauma. The case highlighted the devastating impact of such crimes on innocent children and the importance of justice.

Judge Heather Lloyd, presiding over the case, sentenced Foulkes to 38 months in prison. In her remarks, she emphasized the gravity of his actions, stating: “Even if you had not seen it, you knew your victim was not a liar, for you knew what you had done.”

The court also took into account Foulkes’ health issues, including osteoarthritis, and his background as a former soldier who served in a prestigious regiment of the Royal Army. After his military service, he obtained a degree and rose to the position of director at a food supply company, which contributed to the community’s perception of him as a respectable individual.

Judge Lloyd expressed her disappointment that someone perceived as hardworking and trustworthy could commit such heinous acts. She remarked: “I accept for any man to admit this type of offending cannot be easy on any view because it is contrary to what everyone thought about you. They believed you to be good and hardworking. Unfortunately, they did not know what your fantasies had become – and no doubt would have been horrified had they known.”

She further stated that most men would seek adult pornography for sexual gratification, but Foulkes had crossed a line by seeking out stories of child abuse and ultimately acting on those urges by sexually assaulting a child. The judge emphasized that his age and infirmity did not prevent him from committing the crime.

In addition to his prison sentence, Foulkes was subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a Restraining Order, aimed at protecting the community and preventing any further offenses. The case serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk behind seemingly ordinary facades in communities like Crewe and Barrow.