COLIN BARTON, PAEDOPHILE FROM MANCHESTER, SENTENCED TO PRISON

In February 2012, a dangerous paedophile from Manchester was sentenced to prison for his heinous crimes against young girls. Colin Barton, a 51-year-old hospital operating theatre assistant, was convicted of sexually abusing five girls as young as eleven, often in the presence of other victims, and documenting his crimes through photographs.

Barton pleaded guilty to 32 charges, including rape, sexual activity in the presence of a child, and possession of indecent images, spanning a period of two years. Recognized as a continued threat to children, Judge Clement Goldstone sentenced him to an indeterminate sentence for public protection, specifying a minimum term of five years and 116 days before he could be considered for release. The judge also ordered that Barton remain on licence for life, with the possibility of recall to prison if deemed a danger.

Outside the courtroom, the mothers of the victims expressed outrage at the sentence. One mother criticized it, saying, “The sentence is rubbish. After five years, he’ll be hoping for parole. There’s nothing to say he won’t get out. After preying on five girls like he has, it’s ridiculous. He’s taken my daughter’s innocence. I wish he would have made some gesture in court that he was sorry but he didn’t. My daughter has gone very quiet. She has sleepless nights. She’s always crying and she has mood swings. She’s just not the same. She’s not my little girl.”

Another mother added her disappointment, stating, “I’m disgusted. I’m not happy with the sentence. I wish he had got ten years at least. My daughter isn’t as bubbly as she used to be. He’s taken away that trust.”

Barton, of Kings Road, Chorlton, was taken into custody in June after one of his victims contacted police. The court revealed that Barton befriended the girls by taking them to McDonald's, offering cigarettes and cash as part of his grooming efforts. He would often abuse the victims in his Ford Focus, parked near bushes in the Gorton area, specifically in the car park of Showcase Cinemas.

He threatened the victims to keep quiet, and they largely obeyed out of fear. Despite multiple police interviews—seven in total—Barton initially lied but eventually pleaded guilty as the evidence grew stronger.

Judge Goldstone described Barton as ‘depraved’ and told him, “Over a period of two years, you targeted, groomed, and sexually exploited five vulnerable young girls, all of whom were between 11 and 12 when your behavior started. You engaged with them in sexual activity for your own selfish gratification until police intervention in 2007 stopped your actions. I share the probation officer’s view that these offences would have continued had they not been discovered.”

In light of the ongoing danger Barton posed to children, the judge imposed a sentence for public protection. After accounting for the time already served, Barton could only be considered for parole after five years and 116 days. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender.