BARRY WOODHEAD, THE PREDATORY SEX OFFENDER FROM CHORLEY, JAILED FOR ABUSING YOUNG GIRL
| Red Rose Database
Chorley Rapist
In a case that has shocked the local community of Chorley, a man named Barry Anthony Woodhead has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against a young girl. The crimes, which spanned several years, involved a disturbing pattern of manipulation and abuse that began when the victim was only three years old.
Police investigations into the case revealed that Woodhead, who was found to have no fixed address at the time of his conviction, had engaged in a prolonged campaign of sexual assault and exploitation. The authorities described him as a “predatory sex offender,” highlighting the calculated nature of his actions and his targeting of a vulnerable young girl for his own depraved satisfaction.
Woodhead had initially denied the allegations, claiming innocence and denying any involvement in the assaults that occurred over a period from 2002 to 2010. However, after a thorough four-day trial at Preston Crown Court, the jury found him guilty of a total of 24 charges. These charges were carefully structured to reflect the ongoing nature of his misconduct, with each count representing specific incidents or acts committed during the years in question.
The charges included seven counts of rape, seven counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of indecent assault, two counts of indecency with a child, and six counts of sexual assault of a child. The court heard that the abuse began with indecent assaults in 2002 and escalated over time, causing significant trauma to the young victim.
Judge Sara Dodd, presiding over the case, emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating that the offences were so grave that Woodhead would be subject to an extended license period upon his release, overseen by the parole board. This measure aims to ensure ongoing supervision and protection for the victim and the community.
Detective Sergeant Steve Ollerton of Lancashire Police expressed his relief at the conviction, stating, “Barry Woodhead is a dangerous individual who manipulated and abused a young girl in the most horrific way, targeting the victim to satisfy his own depraved urges. I am glad to say a predatory sex offender has been taken off the streets and I hope the fact Woodhead is now behind bars will enable the victim to move forward with her life. It is clear however that his actions will have a long-lasting effect on her.”
As Woodhead begins his sentence, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the relentless pursuit of justice for victims of sexual abuse, especially those as young and vulnerable as the girl from Chorley.
Police investigations into the case revealed that Woodhead, who was found to have no fixed address at the time of his conviction, had engaged in a prolonged campaign of sexual assault and exploitation. The authorities described him as a “predatory sex offender,” highlighting the calculated nature of his actions and his targeting of a vulnerable young girl for his own depraved satisfaction.
Woodhead had initially denied the allegations, claiming innocence and denying any involvement in the assaults that occurred over a period from 2002 to 2010. However, after a thorough four-day trial at Preston Crown Court, the jury found him guilty of a total of 24 charges. These charges were carefully structured to reflect the ongoing nature of his misconduct, with each count representing specific incidents or acts committed during the years in question.
The charges included seven counts of rape, seven counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of indecent assault, two counts of indecency with a child, and six counts of sexual assault of a child. The court heard that the abuse began with indecent assaults in 2002 and escalated over time, causing significant trauma to the young victim.
Judge Sara Dodd, presiding over the case, emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating that the offences were so grave that Woodhead would be subject to an extended license period upon his release, overseen by the parole board. This measure aims to ensure ongoing supervision and protection for the victim and the community.
Detective Sergeant Steve Ollerton of Lancashire Police expressed his relief at the conviction, stating, “Barry Woodhead is a dangerous individual who manipulated and abused a young girl in the most horrific way, targeting the victim to satisfy his own depraved urges. I am glad to say a predatory sex offender has been taken off the streets and I hope the fact Woodhead is now behind bars will enable the victim to move forward with her life. It is clear however that his actions will have a long-lasting effect on her.”
As Woodhead begins his sentence, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the relentless pursuit of justice for victims of sexual abuse, especially those as young and vulnerable as the girl from Chorley.