AUSTIN KELLY'S HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IN EVERTON: 30 YEARS OF TERROR IN LIVERPOOL
| Red Rose Database
Everton Child Sexual Abuser
In a chilling case that has shocked the community of Everton, Liverpool, Austin Kelly, a 69-year-old caretaker, has been sentenced to 13 and a half years in prison for a prolonged and systematic campaign of sexual abuse against young boys spanning nearly three decades. Kelly, residing on Staffordshire Close in Everton, pleaded guilty to a total of 53 charges, including indecent assault, buggery, and attempted buggery, involving nine boys under the age of 16, with incidents dating back from 1969 to 1997.
During the court proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court, distressing details emerged about Kelly’s predatory behavior. Witnesses recounted how Kelly would lure vulnerable children into his flat by offering sweets, a tactic that allowed him to manipulate and exploit them. Once inside, he would coerce the boys into performing sexual acts on him, often encouraging them to perform acts on each other while he watched through a concealed peephole in the wall from an adjacent room. The court was told that Kelly’s unkempt grey hair and short grey beard gave him a disheveled appearance, yet he sat impassively as the sentence was handed down.
Judge Brian Lewis condemned Kelly’s actions, describing his depravity as having few limits. The judge highlighted the disturbing nature of Kelly’s abuse, noting that he had bathed, dried, and taken photographs of boys as young as eight and nine. The court heard that the victims ranged in age from eight to 15, many of whom were vulnerable due to family difficulties or unstable living arrangements. Judge Lewis emphasized that Kelly’s abuse was relentless, grooming and assaulting boys over a period of nearly thirty years, in the most atrocious manner.
As Kelly was led away, the courtroom erupted in applause for the judge’s verdict. Prosecutor Henry Riding detailed how Kelly often targeted children aged nine to 15, frequently establishing trust by befriending their families. Kelly’s modus operandi involved enticing children to his flat with promises of sweets and the chance to watch television, only to subject them to sexual abuse. The court revealed that Kelly also manipulated the boys into viewing pornography and performing sex acts on him, often taking photographs with a Polaroid camera. Victims were told that such abuse was “the norm” and “just part of growing up,” a disturbing lie that Kelly perpetuated.
One victim expressed that the trauma would haunt him for the rest of his life, while another recounted how Kelly’s abuse extended to wearing his school uniform during assaults. Several victims managed to escape Kelly’s influence when they found girlfriends or grew older. A man now in his 50s disclosed that he had never confided in anyone about his abuse, including his wife, out of shame and fear that no one would believe him. Many victims had been threatened by Kelly, who warned them he would jump off his building and kill himself if they ever revealed his crimes.
Defense attorney Anthony O’Donohue requested that Kelly be given credit for his guilty plea and argued that his client, who was about to turn 70, would find prison life challenging due to his age. However, Judge Lewis pointed out that Kelly had shown no remorse for his victims. Detective Constable Jason Ennis commented on the case, stating, “Kelly’s conviction should serve as a reminder to other offenders who seek to sexually prey on children. The police will use every resource available to uncover this type of offending and will result in dangerous sex offenders going to prison for a very long time. While this sentence cannot undo the impact these crimes have had on his victims and their families, I hope that knowing today’s outcome will offer them some comfort.”
During the court proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court, distressing details emerged about Kelly’s predatory behavior. Witnesses recounted how Kelly would lure vulnerable children into his flat by offering sweets, a tactic that allowed him to manipulate and exploit them. Once inside, he would coerce the boys into performing sexual acts on him, often encouraging them to perform acts on each other while he watched through a concealed peephole in the wall from an adjacent room. The court was told that Kelly’s unkempt grey hair and short grey beard gave him a disheveled appearance, yet he sat impassively as the sentence was handed down.
Judge Brian Lewis condemned Kelly’s actions, describing his depravity as having few limits. The judge highlighted the disturbing nature of Kelly’s abuse, noting that he had bathed, dried, and taken photographs of boys as young as eight and nine. The court heard that the victims ranged in age from eight to 15, many of whom were vulnerable due to family difficulties or unstable living arrangements. Judge Lewis emphasized that Kelly’s abuse was relentless, grooming and assaulting boys over a period of nearly thirty years, in the most atrocious manner.
As Kelly was led away, the courtroom erupted in applause for the judge’s verdict. Prosecutor Henry Riding detailed how Kelly often targeted children aged nine to 15, frequently establishing trust by befriending their families. Kelly’s modus operandi involved enticing children to his flat with promises of sweets and the chance to watch television, only to subject them to sexual abuse. The court revealed that Kelly also manipulated the boys into viewing pornography and performing sex acts on him, often taking photographs with a Polaroid camera. Victims were told that such abuse was “the norm” and “just part of growing up,” a disturbing lie that Kelly perpetuated.
One victim expressed that the trauma would haunt him for the rest of his life, while another recounted how Kelly’s abuse extended to wearing his school uniform during assaults. Several victims managed to escape Kelly’s influence when they found girlfriends or grew older. A man now in his 50s disclosed that he had never confided in anyone about his abuse, including his wife, out of shame and fear that no one would believe him. Many victims had been threatened by Kelly, who warned them he would jump off his building and kill himself if they ever revealed his crimes.
Defense attorney Anthony O’Donohue requested that Kelly be given credit for his guilty plea and argued that his client, who was about to turn 70, would find prison life challenging due to his age. However, Judge Lewis pointed out that Kelly had shown no remorse for his victims. Detective Constable Jason Ennis commented on the case, stating, “Kelly’s conviction should serve as a reminder to other offenders who seek to sexually prey on children. The police will use every resource available to uncover this type of offending and will result in dangerous sex offenders going to prison for a very long time. While this sentence cannot undo the impact these crimes have had on his victims and their families, I hope that knowing today’s outcome will offer them some comfort.”