DENNIS KEANE FROM BARROWFORD SENTENCED AFTER INDECENT ASSAULT ON 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN MAUD STREET

In a disturbing case that unfolded in Barrowford, 72-year-old Dennis Keane was found guilty of engaging in inappropriate and indecent conduct towards a young girl, leading to a significant legal sentence. The incident began with what appeared to be an innocent exchange but quickly escalated into a serious offense that has shocked the local community.

According to court proceedings, Keane’s interaction with the 13-year-old girl started casually when he approached her while she was sitting alone on a park bench in Barrowford. Keane, accompanied by his dog, struck up a conversation about his pet, a chihuahua named Burnley. The prosecutor, Peter Barr, explained that during their chat, Keane complimented the girl on her trainers, and she responded positively, indicating a level of trust and friendliness.

As the conversation progressed, the girl agreed to follow Keane to his nearby flat, which was located on Maud Street. She later told police that she might have been overly trusting but felt comfortable enough to accept his invitation. During their exchange, Keane inquired if she had a boyfriend, to which she replied that she did not. He then disclosed that he had a partner, but their relationship was solely for sexual purposes, which added a disturbing layer to the interaction.

Once inside Keane’s residence, he offered to make her a cup of tea, a gesture that seemed benign at first. However, the court heard that Keane then sat close to her on a settee and placed his hand on her knee. When he asked if he could put his hand down her knickers, the girl firmly refused, stating, “No, I’m 13, I’m a virgin.” Despite her clear refusal, Keane persisted and asked again, which she also rejected. Feeling uncomfortable, she eventually got up and left the flat, ending the encounter.

Following the incident, the girl reported the matter to the police. Keane was subsequently arrested at his home. During police interviews, he claimed to remember the girl but insisted that he had returned home with his dog before she arrived. Initially, Keane denied any sexual contact or making inappropriate remarks towards the girl.

However, during a plea hearing at the Crown Court, he admitted to sexual assault and inciting an underage girl to engage in sexual activity. His defense lawyer, Andrew Nuttall, highlighted that Keane had daughters and granddaughters of his own and expressed remorse for his actions. Nuttall also noted that Keane had been divorced for 20 years and suggested that his recent behavior might have been influenced by loneliness and personal deterioration.

Judge Jonathan Gibson sentenced Keane to a 12-month community order, which includes 20 days of rehabilitation activities arranged by the probation service. Additionally, the court imposed a five-year sexual harm prevention order, restricting his daily interactions with females under 16. Keane was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for the same period. The judge emphasized the potential psychological harm that such misconduct could inflict on a young girl, underscoring the seriousness of the offense and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable minors.