IVAN HANLEY FROM LATCHFORD ESCAPES PRISON AFTER SEXUAL ABUSE OF NINE-YEAR-OLD IN CHESTER
| Red Rose Database
Latchford Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the community of Latchford and the wider Chester area, Ivan Hanley, a 46-year-old man residing on Kingsway South in Latchford, was found guilty of sexually abusing a nine-year-old girl. The incident, which took place following a New Year’s Eve party in 1989, has only recently come to light, leading to a court hearing at Chester Crown Court that revealed disturbing details about the case.
According to court records, Hanley, who was 21 years old at the time of the assault, engaged in a series of inappropriate acts with the sleeping girl after a social gathering. The court heard that Hanley touched the young girl sexually, an act that constitutes a serious case of historic abuse. The victim, now 34 years old, courageously came forward in September 2013 to report the incident to Cheshire Police, nearly 24 years after the event.
During the proceedings, Hanley initially denied the allegations when questioned about the incident. However, he later pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault, acknowledging his wrongdoing. The victim, in a heartfelt victim impact statement read aloud in court, described feeling 'hysterical' immediately after the assault. She expressed feelings of vulnerability and revealed that she had kept the incident secret for many years, feeling unable to confide in anyone at the time.
The woman also shared that she continues to suffer from feelings of guilt and a sense that her childhood was stolen from her. She admitted to feeling scared of being woken up at night, as the memories of what happened flood back during those moments of vulnerability. Her testimony highlighted the long-lasting psychological scars inflicted by the abuse.
It was also revealed that Hanley has not committed any further offences since the incident in 1989. Interestingly, he now acts as a voluntary carer, a role that involves supporting others in the community. The court heard that Hanley himself was a victim of 'disturbing' sexual abuse as a child when he was kidnapped in Northern Ireland, a factor that the judge considered during sentencing.
In a letter submitted to the court, Hanley expressed his 'regret and remorse' for his actions, acknowledging the pain caused to his victim. Judge Raj Shetty explained that he had decided on an 'exceptional' course of action by not sending Hanley to prison. The judge emphasized that Hanley's status as a victim himself and his lack of further criminal activity since 1989 influenced this decision.
Hanley appeared in court dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and red tie. Ultimately, he was sentenced to two years in prison, but the sentence was suspended for two years, meaning he will not serve time unless he commits another offence within that period. Additionally, Hanley is required to participate in a treatment programme for sex offenders, aimed at addressing the underlying issues and preventing future harm.
According to court records, Hanley, who was 21 years old at the time of the assault, engaged in a series of inappropriate acts with the sleeping girl after a social gathering. The court heard that Hanley touched the young girl sexually, an act that constitutes a serious case of historic abuse. The victim, now 34 years old, courageously came forward in September 2013 to report the incident to Cheshire Police, nearly 24 years after the event.
During the proceedings, Hanley initially denied the allegations when questioned about the incident. However, he later pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault, acknowledging his wrongdoing. The victim, in a heartfelt victim impact statement read aloud in court, described feeling 'hysterical' immediately after the assault. She expressed feelings of vulnerability and revealed that she had kept the incident secret for many years, feeling unable to confide in anyone at the time.
The woman also shared that she continues to suffer from feelings of guilt and a sense that her childhood was stolen from her. She admitted to feeling scared of being woken up at night, as the memories of what happened flood back during those moments of vulnerability. Her testimony highlighted the long-lasting psychological scars inflicted by the abuse.
It was also revealed that Hanley has not committed any further offences since the incident in 1989. Interestingly, he now acts as a voluntary carer, a role that involves supporting others in the community. The court heard that Hanley himself was a victim of 'disturbing' sexual abuse as a child when he was kidnapped in Northern Ireland, a factor that the judge considered during sentencing.
In a letter submitted to the court, Hanley expressed his 'regret and remorse' for his actions, acknowledging the pain caused to his victim. Judge Raj Shetty explained that he had decided on an 'exceptional' course of action by not sending Hanley to prison. The judge emphasized that Hanley's status as a victim himself and his lack of further criminal activity since 1989 influenced this decision.
Hanley appeared in court dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and red tie. Ultimately, he was sentenced to two years in prison, but the sentence was suspended for two years, meaning he will not serve time unless he commits another offence within that period. Additionally, Hanley is required to participate in a treatment programme for sex offenders, aimed at addressing the underlying issues and preventing future harm.