DAMON TOWNSEND AND SHOCKING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN LANCASHIRE
A deeply disturbing case of sexual abuse involving a man from Chorley has resulted in a lengthy imprisonment.Damon Townsend, aged 35, has been convicted of heinous crimes involving the abuse of two young girls, both under the age of ten, in the Lancashire area.
Townsend's criminal actions first came to light when one of his victims, who was less than ten years old at the time, revealed that she was subjected to a sexual assault by him.
The victim expressed ongoing fears about being around boys and men, indicating the lasting psychological trauma inflicted by Townsend's actions.
The second victim, also under ten years old, was assaulted by Townsend during the same period, and he coercively instructed her to keep her abuse a secret, further compounding the severity of his offenses.
During the course of the police investigation, further troubling evidence emerged.
Authorities discovered that Townsend’s mobile phone might contain illegal and inappropriate material.
The device was seized and subjected to a thorough forensic examination, which confirmed the presence of multiple indecent images of children along with other forbidden images.
This discovery led to additional charges against Townsend for possessing these illicit images.
Townsend, who is currently without a fixed address but was previously residing at Cornflower Close in Chorley, faced multiple accusations.
He pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children, a charge that underscores his involvement in the distribution and possession of illegal materials.
However, he maintained his innocence regarding the allegations related directly to the sexual abuse of his young victims.
Following a trial held at Preston Crown Court, the court convicted Townsend of serious offenses, including the rape of a child under the age of 13 and the indecent assault of a child under 13.
The court declared him a dangerous offender, reflecting the grave nature of his conduct.
As a result, Townsend was sentenced to an immediate prison term of 16 years, with an additional four years on extended license, meaning he will be subject to supervision after serving his custodial sentence.
His release conditions include a lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which is designed to monitor and restrict his activities to prevent further offenses.
Townsend will also be required to undergo assessments by the Parole Board before any potential release, which will evaluate whether he remains a threat to the public.
Commenting on the case, DC Louise Dutton from South CID described Townsend as a manipulative individual with a warped and abhorrent sexual interest in children.
She emphasized that Townsend exploited the vulnerability of his victims and forced them to relive their trauma through the legal process.
DC Dutton expressed satisfaction that Townsend’s custodial sentence was substantial, and pointed out that the various court orders will ensure ongoing monitoring once he is released.
Furthermore, she praised the bravery of the victims who endured the trial process, acknowledging the profound impact these crimes have had on their lives.
She also hoped that this case would encourage other victims of sexual abuse to come forward, reassuring them that their claims are taken seriously and that law enforcement will pursue justice rigorously.
This case underscores the importance of vigilance and the relentless efforts of criminal justice agencies to protect vulnerable children from predators like Damon Townsend, whose actions have left indelible scars on his victims and the community in Lancashire.
