FREDERICK ROSKALL FROM BLACKBURN AND PRESTON SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

In August 2013, a case that shocked the local communities of Blackburn and Preston culminated in the sentencing of Frederick Roskall, a 56-year-old man convicted of heinous crimes against young children. The judge described his actions as “unspeakable evil,” highlighting the severity and grotesqueness of the offences committed by Roskall, who had previously evaded justice for years.

Roskall, a former bus driver known to have used multiple aliases, including Bill, was found guilty of two counts of rape and five counts of indecent assault. The crimes involved a four-year-old girl and a nine-year-old boy, both of whom had to endure the trauma of reliving their experiences during the trial. The jury’s verdict was a stark acknowledgment of the terrible nature of Roskall’s offences, which Judge Christopher Cornwall condemned as “terrible and grotesque.”

It was revealed that Roskall’s abuse in Preston only ceased after he was convicted of sexually assaulting another girl in the late 1990s, which resulted in a four-year prison sentence. His pattern of predatory behavior spanned years, and he managed to evade detection for a long period. The case gained renewed attention when, two years prior to his sentencing, a woman came forward to report that Roskall, residing on Oban Drive in Blackburn, had also subjected her to abuse and rape. Her decision to speak out was driven by nightmares and stress following the birth of her child, which left her terrified she might encounter Roskall again with her daughter.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Cornwall emphasized the gravity of Roskall’s crimes, stating, “The indecent touching was bad enough but to rape a child under six is just unspeakable evil. To then threaten that child with being buried in a cemetery if she disclosed what you had done to her is the behaviour of someone who is without humanity and without any sense of morality.”

The victim, who cannot be publicly identified for legal reasons, expressed her relief that Roskall was now behind bars. She shared how her life had been profoundly affected by his actions, recounting her struggles with fear and trauma. She explained that her education was disrupted because she was afraid to catch buses—since Roskall had driven a bus—and that her perception of men had been forever altered. She described her ongoing difficulty in trusting men, especially around her daughter, and her inability to travel alone in a taxi without a family member present.

The victim also detailed the emotional toll of the trial, which took nearly two and a half years to reach a conclusion. She described the experience of giving evidence as “horrible,” with many questions that felt invasive and violating. She recounted how Roskall showed no remorse during the proceedings, sitting with his hands behind his head while she testified, and leaning forward past the court screens, giving her the unsettling feeling that he was watching her closely.

Overall, the case of Frederick Roskall from Blackburn and Preston serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of child sexual abuse and the importance of justice for victims. His lengthy imprisonment aims to prevent him from harming others and to provide some measure of accountability for the terrible suffering he caused.