DELWYN SAVIGAR: LEYLAND CHILD RAPIST AND INTERNET PREDATOR TARGETING PENWORTHAM AND WALTON-LE-DALE

In March 2018, authorities took decisive action to enhance public safety by issuing a new court order against Delwyn Savigar, a convicted sex offender from Leyland. This measure aims to prevent any potential harm and restrict his interactions with minors, reflecting ongoing concerns about his dangerous history.

Delwyn Savigar, aged 43 at the time, had previously been sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2010 after being found guilty of multiple heinous crimes. His offenses included the rape of a 13-year-old girl in a field in Penwortham, an attempted rape, and indecent assaults on two other young victims. His criminal activities extended beyond physical assaults, as he was deeply involved in the distribution and sharing of child exploitation material online.

Savigar, who was employed as a driver for a drinks distribution company based in Leyland, used his technical skills to establish an internet bulletin board. This platform became a hub for sharing over 300,000 disturbing images depicting naked children in sexualized poses. His online activities attracted a global audience, and he collaborated with others to host this illegal content on a server located in the United States. Through this network, he facilitated the exchange of such material, contributing to the proliferation of child abuse images worldwide.

The investigation into Savigar’s online activities was initiated by the US Department of Justice, which identified a US-based server hosting illegal websites linked to his activities. Although police in the UK were alerted to the existence of his site, it took nearly a year of meticulous and intensive investigation to uncover his identity and connect him to the crimes. DNA evidence collected after his arrest in September 2008, for possession and distribution of indecent images of children, linked him conclusively to three separate sex attacks in Lancashire, including the assault on the 13-year-old girl in Preston.

Following his arrest, Savigar admitted to the offenses, which prompted the courts to impose a series of stringent restrictions. At Preston Crown Court, a judge ordered an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to replace his previous Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO). This new order explicitly bans him from having any contact with children unless it is completely accidental. It also restricts his use of internet-enabled devices unless such devices retain a record of his search history, thereby preventing him from accessing or sharing illegal content.

In April 2010, Savigar’s criminal activities and subsequent conviction were publicly acknowledged when he was sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison. The sentence was composed of six years each for the rape and attempted rape, and an additional two years for indecent assault. He also received a four-month sentence for possessing indecent images, which was to run concurrently. Upon release, he was to be placed on extended licence for a period of ten years, ensuring continued supervision and restrictions.

During the court proceedings, Detective Inspector Nina Foley, who led the investigation, emphasized the severity of Savigar’s crimes. She described him as a “very dangerous man” and expressed her concern for the victims, stating, “He is clearly a dangerous, predatory and shameless individual who took advantage of the innocent nature of his victims and my thoughts are with them.” The case underscored the ongoing threat posed by individuals like Savigar, who exploit both the internet and physical spaces to commit their crimes, leaving lasting trauma on their victims and communities in Leyland, Penwortham, and Walton-le-Dale.