CHRISTOPHER NEWTON OF WYTHENSHAWE JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST TWO FIVE-YEAR-OLDS IN MANCHESTER

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Wythenshawe, Christopher Newton, aged 42, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offences committed against two young girls, both just five years old at the time of the abuse. The sentencing took place at Manchester Crown Court Crown Square, where Newton was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the severity and gravity of his crimes.

Newton, residing on Stoneacre Road in the Woodhouse Park area of Wythenshawe, was found guilty at an earlier hearing of seven counts of indecent assault and one count of raping a child under 13. The abuse spanned from 1995 to 2003, a period during which the victims endured unimaginable suffering at the hands of the man they trusted.

Following the court proceedings, one of the young victims, now an adult, expressed her feelings about the ordeal. She said, “To put in a short amount of words how the abuse has affected me is impossible. I have very few happy memories from the past as the memories of him outweigh anything else. I feel a huge weight has been lifted since Chris has been found guilty. If he would have had the courage to admit what he had done when the police approached him first, he could have saved a lot of hurt for us but I didn’t expect that from his cowardly self. Regardless of his sentence given to him, it will always affect my life and be there at the back of my thoughts.”

Her fellow victim, also recalling the trauma, shared her painful experience. She explained, “I was about five years old when the abuse began, it is very hard when you are a child as you don’t have ‘a voice’. I am very nervous and don’t have a lot of confidence as a result of my ordeal. I particularly get uncomfortable around men – I am paranoid about their motives. When I do, I get agitated I think this has been caused by my fear that Chris will return and find me. I felt and still feel ashamed that it is my fault. This has been humiliating for me in my adult life. Personally, I do not think I will ever get over what Chris has done. Throughout the abuse I suffered from Chris, you have no real idea what to do. Fear of being told off, fear of being blamed for something or being naughty. I bottled it all up and kept it to myself and no child should ever have to do that.”

Detective Constable Barry Carmichael from the South Manchester division commented on the case, stating, “Newton’s abuse of these girls is difficult for most people to comprehend, and for him to make them relive those horrible events through a trial is just terrible. He subjected his victims to sustained sexual assaults over a number of years and manipulated them into thinking somehow they were responsible for the abuse. Both girls have been incredibly brave by helping us put Newton before the courts and have helped ensure justice is served for them. He is now where he belongs and thankfully will not be able to harm anyone else.”

Authorities have emphasized that anyone who has experienced sexual assault or rape can seek help by contacting Greater Manchester Police at 101 or calling 999 in emergencies. The police force has specially trained officers dedicated to providing support and ensuring victims receive the appropriate care and justice they deserve.