CHRISTOPHER HARTLEY FROM WARINGTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE AT PRESTON CHILDREN'S HOME

In a case that has shocked the local community, Christopher Hartley, a man with a seemingly respectable background, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against vulnerable children at the former Harris Children’s Home located on Garstang Road, Preston. The sentencing took place at Preston Crown Court, where the court heard harrowing details of the abuse that spanned over several years and involved multiple victims.

Hartley, 56, who currently resides on Denham Avenue in Warrington, was present in the courtroom during the sentencing, with some of his victims watching from the public gallery. The presiding judge, Judge Mark Brown, delivered a stern condemnation of Hartley's actions, stating, “You saw them as easy prey and you took advantage of your position as the son of the house parents to sexually abuse them.” The judge’s words underscored the betrayal of trust and the calculated nature of Hartley's crimes.

For more than four decades, Hartley's victims concealed the devastating trauma inflicted upon them, largely out of fear and shame. During the trial, it was revealed that Hartley had maintained a facade of being a respectable family man—an image carefully crafted to hide his true nature. He was described as the son of a couple who dedicated their lives to caring for children, and he himself was a former soldier who served his country. Despite this outward appearance, his actions behind closed doors told a different story.

Prosecutor Barbara Webster detailed Hartley's manipulative tactics, describing him as a “sly and cunning individual” who exploited situations to be alone with his victims. She explained that Hartley would identify vulnerabilities and use them to his advantage, knowing the reasons why each child was placed in the home, and manipulating their trust for his own gratification. The victims, all of whom were young girls at the time, ranged in age from as young as 8 to 13 during the period of abuse.

One of the victims, who was only 11 when the abuse began, recounted how Hartley would take her to his bedroom after isolating her from other children, forcing her to remove her clothes before assaulting her. Another girl, aged 8 at the time, described how Hartley would expose himself and perform acts in front of her, even going so far as to falsely accuse her of misbehavior to her mother when she screamed. A third victim recounted how Hartley would take her to a ground-floor room, sit her on the bed, undress himself, and make her touch him.

Additional accounts revealed that Hartley’s predatory behavior extended beyond direct assaults. One victim described how he jumped out of a bush on the grounds of the home to force himself on her, later raping her as the abuse continued. Another girl described an incident in a children’s bathroom where Hartley attacked her, displaying a pattern of arrogance and entitlement that victims described as “very arrogant.”

The impact of Hartley's actions has been profound and long-lasting. Victims have reported suffering panic attacks, anxiety, and depression, with some resorting to medication to cope. One woman’s statement to the court revealed she had attempted to take her own life, including deliberately crashing her car, illustrating the severe mental health consequences of her childhood trauma. Her general practitioner provided a letter to the court, emphasizing the devastating effect the abuse had on her mental well-being, stating, “I’m left with little doubt the childhood abuse has had a devastating impact on her mental health, preventing her from finding any fulfillment or peace.”

Despite the overwhelming evidence and the emotional testimonies, three victims chose not to relive their trauma by providing written statements. Hartley, who attended St Cuthbert Mayne High School in Preston before enrolling at the Army Apprentice College in Harrogate, showed no visible emotion during the proceedings. The judge highlighted Hartley's intelligence and maturity, noting his academic achievements, including ten O-levels and his enlistment into the army at just 16 years old. The court’s verdict reflects the gravity of his crimes and the betrayal of trust that occurred within the walls of the children’s home, a place meant to be a sanctuary for vulnerable children.