JAMES CORBETT FROM ACCRINGTON BELFAST AND DAREN - SERIAL SEX OFFENDER AND KILLER SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS

In a case that has shocked the communities of Accrington, Belfast, and Darwen, James Corbett, a 74-year-old man with a long and disturbing criminal history, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for a series of heinous sex offences involving children. The court proceedings revealed a pattern of predatory behavior spanning over four decades, with Corbett admitting to multiple charges that include rape, sexual assault, and other serious sexual offences against minors.

Corbett, who originally hails from Belfast in Northern Ireland, has a criminal record that dates back to the 1970s. His past convictions include manslaughter for the killing of May Rothera, a stewardess working at the Miners’ Club in Accrington. The incident occurred in 1975 when Corbett, then 37 years old and living in Clayton-le-Moors, strangled Mrs. Rothera with a bar towel. He was arrested shortly after the murder and later pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, citing alcoholism and memory loss. He received a six-year prison sentence for this crime. The tragic death of Mrs. Rothera was discovered by her husband, Tony Rothera, and a club committee member, who found her body in the secretary’s office behind the bar.

Throughout his life, Corbett has accumulated numerous convictions, including firearms offences in Belfast and drug importation charges in the 1980s while residing in Accrington. His criminal activities have often involved violence and manipulation, with police and court officials describing him as a highly dangerous individual. In recent years, his criminal behavior has focused on sexual offences involving young girls. In 1996, he was convicted of 14 counts of indecent assault on six girls under the age of 14, resulting in a four-year prison term. Despite his lengthy criminal history, Corbett has been disqualified from working with children and has been subject to various restrictions, including a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) issued earlier this year.

Police investigations leading to his latest conviction began after victims came forward, prompted by a report in the Lancashire Telegraph about the SOPO. Officers discovered indecent images of children on Corbett’s phone, which led to further charges. During the court proceedings at Preston Crown Court, Corbett pleaded guilty to 14 charges, including two counts of sexual activity with a child, indecent assault, two assaults by penetration of a child under 13, six sexual assaults of children under 13, and four counts of rape. The victims ranged in age from 11 to 15, with incidents spanning from the late 1960s to recent years.

Detective Inspector Paul Langley described Corbett as a manipulative and threatening individual who used violence and intimidation to silence his victims. He emphasized that Corbett’s criminal activities have caused immense suffering over a period of more than 40 years. The judge, Pamela Badley, extended Corbett’s license by an additional four years upon his release and ordered him to register as a sex offender for life. The sentencing hearing also highlighted the severity of his crimes and the ongoing danger he poses to society.

Corbett’s history of violence and sexual offences underscores the importance of vigilant law enforcement and community awareness. His case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by high-risk offenders and the necessity of strict legal measures to protect vulnerable individuals from predatory individuals like him.