CECIL THORN SENTENCED IN LIVERPOOL FOR SECOND CHILDHOOD SEXUAL OFFENSES AFTER EXTRADITION FROM NEW ZEALAND
A convicted paedophile, Cecil John Thorn, 48, who had molested a young girl, was extradited from New Zealand to the UK to face justice but chose to remain silent throughout the proceedings.Since stepping off the plane in February of last year, Thorn has maintained a 'vigil of silence,' refusing to speak or defend himself at his trial, including when the brave victim recounted his repeated acts of abuse.
Thorn, originally from Wirral, was found guilty last month at Liverpool Crown Court of three counts of sexual assault and three counts of causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.
It was revealed during the trial that this was his second conviction for child molestation; in 2013, he received an eight-year sentence for similar crimes in Wirral.
After serving only three years and with police aware of another victim’s allegations, Thorn was deported to New Zealand under an early release scheme.
This deportation led to a lengthy extradition process, which culminated in Thorn's return to the UK, where he has been in custody since his extradition on February 24, 2020.
He appeared in court via video link from prison, with the court clerk noting that Thorn did not respond when asked to identify himself and that he had never spoken during proceedings.
Judge Brian Cummings, QC, observed that Thorn’s silence was voluntary, not due to any medical or mental health issues, and noted he chose to remain silent even when prompted to address the court or offer mitigation.
Thorn, without legal representation, also refused to engage with the Probation Service for a pre-sentence report.
The judge highlighted that Thorn's silence had been maintained since early proceedings, confirming that it was a deliberate act, further evidenced by his conversations with staff shortly before the last trial, in which Thorn inquired if the trial was proceeding.
Prosecutor Charlotte Kenny recounted Thorn's previous conviction: in July 2013, Thorn was jailed for eight years after admitting four sexual assaults against a teenage girl, after her parents discovered the abuse.
Following his release, Thorn was deported to Wellington, New Zealand, in December 2016.
However, Thorn's second victim had come forward in February 2016, nearly a year earlier, stating she had been sexually abused by him and describing specific acts he had performed.
Police attempted to speak with Thorn in jail in relation to these complaints, but he again remained silent.
When arrested and interviewed in New Zealand in February 2020, Thorn's silence persisted, and he told detectives he was beginning a 'vigil of silence.' The second girl, still in court, described how the abuse had a 'devastating effect' on her, making it difficult to articulate the impact.
In her victim statement, she explained losing confidence, developing self-worth issues, and hating her own body.
She also self-harmed, struggled with intrusive memories, and felt embarrassed, despite the abuse being not her fault.
Her mother, attending in court, added that her daughter had become withdrawn, with her mother expressing concern that her child had attempted to overdose and was distressed about reliving the trauma during the trial.
Judge Cummings acknowledged the emotional toll on the victims and noted that Thorn could have disclosed his abuse of the second girl earlier when in prison for the first.
He emphasized that any additional harm or strain resulting from his silence was his own responsibility.
Declaring Thorn an 'offender of particular concern,' the judge sentenced him to ten years in prison with an extended one-year license period.
Thorn will serve at least five years before he is eligible for parole.
Throughout the proceedings, Thorn showed no emotion, spoke, or moved during the video appearance and is now required to register as a sex offender for life.
The judge concluded that Thorn's actions had significantly impacted two young girls' lives, and his sentence reflects the severity of his crimes.
