IAN TORKINGTON FROM DEANE SENTENCED AFTER CONFESSING TO SEX OFFENCES IN BOLTON

In a case that has shocked the local community, Ian Torkington, a man residing in Deane, was brought to justice after a startling confession to his psychiatrist revealed a history of sexual offenses involving young boys. The incident, which came to light in April 2011, uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse that spanned over a decade.

According to court records presented at Bolton Crown Court, Torkington, aged 46 at the time, admitted to sexually assaulting two young boys during the early 1990s and mid-1990s. The court heard that he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault involving one boy, with incidents occurring when the child was between the ages of eight and thirteen. The first assault took place in a caravan, while the second occurred during a camping trip, both involving the same young victim.

Further details emerged when the prosecution, led by Zoe Salter, explained that Torkington later repeated similar offenses against a second boy sometime between 1994 and 1998. These assaults took place in a living room on a sofa, with the second victim aged between eleven and fifteen at the time. The court was told that Torkington’s confessions were made after he disclosed his actions to his psychiatrist, a revelation that prompted immediate police intervention.

During the proceedings, Torkington’s defense attorney, Philip Parry, highlighted that his client was suffering from a recurring depressive disorder. Parry emphasized that Torkington had openly admitted to his crimes and expressed a desire to face the consequences, including punishment. The judge presiding over the case, the Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge William Morris, described Torkington’s confession as “highly unusual.”

Judge Morris remarked, “It is very unusual, in my experience, that an offender of this sort volunteers this information,” indicating that such honesty was rare in cases of this nature. The judge also acknowledged that Torkington appeared to feel genuine remorse for his actions.

As part of his sentencing, Torkington was given a three-year community order, which includes supervision and mandatory attendance at sex offenders’ treatment programs. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register for a period of seven years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities and compliance with the court’s directives. The case has left many in Deane and the wider Bolton area contemplating the serious implications of such offenses and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from harm.