ALFRED THOMAS: WATERLOO PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN LIVERPOOL AND WATERLOO

In a disturbing series of criminal acts, Alfred Thomas, a man with a long history of sexual offenses, has been brought back into the spotlight following his recent court appearance in Liverpool. The 52-year-old, who resides on Newby Street in Walton, was initially sentenced to four years in prison in March 2017 after admitting to multiple counts of molestation against a young girl during the 1980s. However, his criminal activities did not end there, and he was subsequently linked to further offenses that have now led to additional convictions and extended incarceration.

Today, Thomas appeared before Liverpool Crown Court to face allegations of sexual assault against another victim, a woman who was a teenager at the time of the initial incident and in her twenties during the second. Prosecutor David Polglase detailed how Thomas, known for his previous convictions, admitted to two counts of indecent assault against this woman. The first assault occurred when she was sleeping in a room with a young child; she awoke to find Thomas sexually assaulting her. During this assault, Thomas placed his hand over her mouth to prevent her from crying out, and the victim described her reaction as one of paralysis, stating she “froze” in fear.

The second incident took place while she was sleeping on a sofa, fully clothed, with her baby in a pram nearby. She awoke to find Thomas sexually assaulting her while simultaneously performing a sex act on himself. The victim recounted her efforts to block out the abuse, but she admitted that the memories persisted and increasingly haunted her, causing emotional distress. She also described a disturbing pattern of behavior from Thomas, noting that whenever she saw him since the assaults, he would lick his lips in a manner that made her uncomfortable. Additionally, she recalled Thomas expressing a desire to take her to a hotel and “give it to you,” a statement that added to her trauma.

During police interviews at HMP Liverpool in May of the previous year, Thomas denied the allegations, claiming that the accusations were part of a blackmail plot. The victim, meanwhile, described the profound impact the abuse had on her mental health, revealing that she developed feelings of self-hatred and worthlessness. She resorted to alcohol in an attempt to numb her pain and struggled with eating and sleeping. Her emotional state deteriorated, leading to episodes of anger, depression, panic attacks, and nightmares. The woman expressed her desire for justice, stating, “I want this to go away, but I want justice too.”

Thomas’s criminal record is extensive, with eight previous convictions spanning fifteen offenses, including acts of dishonesty and violence. Notably, he served a seven-year sentence for raping a woman in July 2008. His history also includes a 26-week jail term in June 2016 after exposing himself to a teenage girl on a Merseyrail train traveling from Waterloo, where he was then living, to Moorfields station in Liverpool.

In a recent court ruling, Judge Robert Warnock acknowledged the severity of the victim’s statement, describing it as “harrowing and difficult to digest.” The judge emphasized the damage caused by such sexual offenses and considered the totality of Thomas’s criminal behavior. As a result, he sentenced Thomas to an additional two years and two months in prison, effectively extending his release date from March 30, 2019, to June 30, 2020. Furthermore, the judge ordered Thomas to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life, underscoring the ongoing risk he poses to the community.

Earlier in March 2017, Thomas was convicted of similar offenses, admitting to five counts of indecent assault and five counts of gross indecency involving a girl under 14, committed during the 1980s. The police praised the victim’s bravery in coming forward, with Detective Constable Julia Jennings highlighting the importance of support and thorough investigation. She expressed hope that the sentence would provide some closure and justice for the victim, reaffirming the police’s commitment to tackling sexual offenses regardless of when they occur.

Thomas’s criminal history also includes a 26-week jail term in 2016 for exposing himself to a teenage girl on a Merseyrail train, an incident that took place while he was residing in Waterloo. His pattern of predatory behavior was further exemplified by a 2016 incident where he was recognized from a police appeal after exposing himself on a train from Southport to Liverpool. He was arrested at his home on Mount Pleasant in Waterloo and subsequently pleaded guilty to indecent exposure, receiving a six-month sentence and a fine.

Overall, the case underscores the persistent danger posed by individuals like Alfred Thomas and highlights the importance of vigilance and support for victims of sexual abuse. The court’s decisions aim to protect the community and ensure that justice is served for those who have suffered at the hands of repeat offenders.