ERIC GREEN FROM BURNLEY SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR DECADES OF CHILD SEX ABUSE

In a case that has spanned over four decades, Eric Green, a 66-year-old man from Burnley, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a series of serious child sex offenses. The lengthy legal proceedings concluded at Burnley Crown Court, where Green was found guilty of multiple charges related to the abuse of four victims, three of whom are now adults.

Green's criminal history is extensive, with his first conviction dating back to 1964 when he was imprisoned for molesting underage girls. Despite his previous conviction, Green continued his abusive behavior over the years, believing he could evade justice. The latest allegations surfaced after his wife contacted authorities nearly 20 years ago, suspecting that Green had been abusing one of the victims.

The case gained renewed attention earlier this year when Green was accused of sexually assaulting a young girl. Following this incident, additional victims came forward, providing evidence that led to his arrest and subsequent trial. Throughout the four-day court proceedings, Green maintained his innocence, insisting that the allegations were either nightmares or outright lies. He argued that the victims' claims were fabricated, claiming they had conspired to falsely accuse him.

Green faced ten charges of indecent assault spanning from 1973 to 2004, involving four different victims. The court heard that he had touched, stroked, and made victims perform sexual acts on him, with one of the victims, now 25, tearfully recounting her experience. She revealed that she had not disclosed the abuse until she was 18, when she confided in her mother, feeling guilty for not speaking out earlier. She described the abuse as taking place when she was just eight or nine years old.

The prosecution presented evidence that Green had previously served time in jail at the age of 26 for similar allegations, including indecent assault and unlawful sexual intercourse. The court was told that Green's behavior involved touching and fondling his victims, often making them perform acts on him. Despite the overwhelming evidence, Green continued to deny all charges, claiming that the victims had fabricated their stories, possibly in collusion.

During the trial, Green insisted he had been truthful with police from the outset and dismissed the victims' accounts as exaggerated or fictitious. He described their testimonies as being so graphic that they resembled scenes from a film. His defense argued that Green's family, including his wife, supported him and that he was proud of his family’s achievements, though they acknowledged he would have to serve his sentence.

Judge Stuart Baker sentenced Green to eight years in prison, with an additional two-year extended license period. Green was also ordered to comply with a sex offences prevention order, placed on the sex offenders register for life, and banned from working with children. The judge remarked that Green would likely spend the rest of his life in custody, emphasizing the severity of his crimes and the impact on his victims.

Green, who resides on Colne Road in Burnley, showed no remorse during the proceedings, maintaining his innocence throughout. The case has left a lasting scar on the community and highlights the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from abuse.