DOUGLAS WEBLEY PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN WALTON

In August 2023, a disturbing case emerged from Walton involving Douglas Webley, a pensioner who subjected a young girl to a prolonged and heinous campaign of sexual abuse. The victim, who was as young as eight years old at the time, endured a series of vile acts at the hands of Webley, actions that she later described as having devastated her life.

During a court hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, the emotional testimony of the young girl was shared, revealing how she broke down in tears when first confiding in her father about the abuse she had suffered over more than a year. Her father expressed his anguish, stating that he simply wanted his little girl back, highlighting the profound impact of the trauma.

Prosecutor Robert Dudley detailed the extent of Webley's crimes, noting that the 71-year-old repeatedly raped the girl. The court heard that Webley would sometimes allow her to smoke after the assaults, further illustrating the manipulative and predatory nature of his actions. One particularly disturbing incident involved Webley telling the girl, “It’s gonna be good. You’re not gonna regret it, you’re gonna love it,” as he committed the assault.

The victim recounted that Webley threatened her, saying that if she told anyone about what was happening, he would lie to cover his tracks. He reportedly told her, “If you tell anyone I swear I’m gonna lie and you can get into trouble, not me,” attempting to silence her and maintain control over the situation.

Following his arrest at his residence on Espin Street in Walton, Webley was interviewed by police. During the interrogation, he described the girl as a “nuisance who tells lies” and claimed that she had kissed him first, which he said he had reciprocated. However, he also admitted to touching her indecently, confirming his guilt in the case.

In a shocking revelation, Webley told his relatives that he had sexually assaulted the girl “because she asked me to,” and he confessed to police that he had engaged in sexual activity with her. His actions led to a conviction for rape and sexual assault, for which he was sentenced to 15 years and four months in prison, with an additional year on licence.

During sentencing, Judge David Swinnerton acknowledged that Webley now appeared to show remorse and insight into his crimes. However, the judge expressed skepticism about the sincerity of these claims, noting that Webley’s statements during police interviews did not align with genuine remorse. The judge emphasized that the responsibility for the crimes solely rests with Webley.

As part of his punishment, Webley was ordered to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence behind bars, which equates to a minimum of 10 years and two months before he can apply for parole. Additionally, he was issued a lifelong restraining order preventing any contact with the victim, along with a sexual harm prevention order. He is also required to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from further harm.