DAVID FEARNLEY: RUNCORN, WARRINGTON, WEAVERHAM PAEDOPHILE TEACHER SENTENCED FOR DECADES OF CHILD SEX CRIMES

In a case that has shocked the communities of Runcorn, Warrington, and Weaverham, David Fearnley, a former teacher and scout leader, has been subjected to a lengthy and rigorous legal process following his conviction for a series of heinous child sex offenses spanning over three decades.

Fearnley, aged 61 and residing on Lime Avenue in Weaverham, was sentenced to a total of nine years and two months in prison at Warrington Crown Court in July 2013. The court found him guilty of 27 separate charges involving child abuse and possession of child pornography. Despite his subsequent attempt to appeal the sentence, the appeal was dismissed last week by a panel of top judges, including Lady Justice Sharp, Mr. Justice Sweeney, and Judge Stephen Kramer QC, who unanimously agreed that the original sentence was fully justified given the severity of his crimes.

During the appeal hearing, Mr. Justice Sweeney emphasized that Fearnley's offending was uncovered many years after it initially began, when he was serving as a scout master in his 30s. Over time, Fearnley groomed a young boy aged between 13 and 15, engaging in inappropriate touching during play-fights, exposing himself, and eventually progressing to sexual acts, including oral and full sex. The judge highlighted the long-lasting harm inflicted on the victims, noting that both had suffered enduring psychological trauma as a result of Fearnley's actions.

Another victim, who was abused approximately 20 years later, recounted how Fearnley, by then a respected school teacher, continued his predatory behavior. The victim, who was between 12 and 15 years old at the time, was manipulated into believing that the sexual activities they engaged in were normal. The abuse included repeated oral and penetrative sex, with Fearnley exploiting the victim's trust and vulnerability. The court heard that the police investigation uncovered images of child pornography on Fearnley's computer, further evidencing his predatory conduct.

Fearnley's legal representatives argued that his sentence was excessively harsh, but their case was firmly rejected by the judges. Mr. Justice Sweeney pointed out that the offenses involved deliberate grooming and a significant age disparity, and that the sentence imposed was within the appropriate range, albeit at the higher end. The judges concluded that there was no merit to Fearnley's appeal, and the original sentence was upheld.

In addition to the prison term, Fearnley had previously admitted to seven counts of possessing child pornography and numerous indecent assaults. His criminal history also includes a conviction from 2011, when he was sentenced to a three-year community order for indecently assaulting a boy and girl in the 1990s. The court had also ordered him to pay £1,500 in costs. His earlier offenses, which did not involve pupils at The Grange Comprehensive where he taught, involved similar grooming behaviors, with Fearnley using sweets, cash, alcohol, and pornography to manipulate his victims.

Fearnley's background as a Royal Navy Reserve officer and his long tenure as a teacher at The Grange Comprehensive in Runcorn were highlighted during proceedings. Despite his respectable facade, his actions revealed a disturbing pattern of exploitation. The school conducted a thorough review following his conviction, but the offenses did not occur on school premises or involve students.

In a separate case in September 2011, Fearnley, then aged 59, was sentenced to a three-year community rehabilitation order, a seven-year sexual offences prevention order, and ordered to pay costs after admitting to indecently assaulting a boy and girl between 1995 and 2003. The victims, now adults, had been children at the time, with one girl starting abuse at age 10. The court heard that Fearnley, who was also a scout leader in Warrington during the late 70s, used gifts, threats, and pornography to facilitate his abuse.

Throughout the proceedings, Fearnley's family expressed shock and dismay at his actions. His defense highlighted his health issues, including a diagnosis of Bells Palsy, and his prior contributions as a teacher and Royal Navy Reserve officer. Nevertheless, the court made it clear that his crimes had caused irreparable harm to his victims and that justice required a firm and decisive response.