JOHN PHILLIPS, PREDATORY PAEDOPHILE FROM WINSFORD, SENTENCED IN CHESTER COURT
A convicted predatory sex offender who targeted children as young as three has been brought back to court following the emergence of a new victim.John Phillips, now 50 years old, was previously imprisoned for 22 years after being convicted at Liverpool Crown Court in 2018 for raping and sexually assaulting eight young victims.
However, another man, who was assaulted and raped repeatedly by Phillips from age three until around 14, did not feel able to come forward during the earlier trial but was encouraged to do so after its conclusion.
Thanks to this individual's bravery, Cheshire Police re-opened the case and charged Phillips with an additional 18 counts, including nine charges of rape—some covering multiple incidents—one count of attempted rape, six counts of indecent assault, and two of indecency with a child.
Phillips pleaded guilty to all the charges.
During the sentencing, Judge Rachel Smith noted that under current laws, several of the indecent assault charges from the early abuse would now be classified as rape of a child, starting from when the victim was just four years old.
At the time of his original arrest, Phillips was living in Winsford, with connections to Widnes and Runcorn.
He appeared via video link from HMP Parkhurst.
The court heard that Phillips groomed his victims by showering them with gifts and money, but also threatened and used violence to silence them.
The abuse began when the victim was just three years old and haunted his childhood, leading to feelings of isolation and withdrawal.
Judge Smith recounted how the first rape occurred when Phillips, then nine, lured the boy to his flat with the promise of a gift.
Once there, Phillips, who was intoxicated, claimed the child could only have the present if they engaged in sex.
The abuse persisted over several years, including an incident in an office where Phillips was employed.
As the victim grew older, Phillips continued his grooming by offering money in exchange for sex.
The abuse continued until Phillips shifted his focus to younger children, which is what led to the 2018 case.
Iain Johnstone, defending, revealed that Phillips had been abused by his own father as a child and expressed remorse.
He read aloud a letter from Phillips, in which he said, 'Mr Phillips did not have a very good upbringing from a family point of view.' He explained that Phillips had experienced abuse himself and had only wanted love, stating, 'He said he was subjected to abuse growing up.
He wanted to be loved and tried to kill himself many times because he felt he was not good enough.' Phillips reportedly expressed regret, saying, 'I always said I would never turn out like my dad.
To be here today charged with what I have been charged with sickens me.
I am grateful [the victims] were strong enough to speak out.
I am so very sorry, I wish it didn't happen, I wish I could turn back time.' Judge Smith commented that although some of the abuse from the later offenses overlapped with the victims from his 2018 case, she would have imposed a harsher sentence if all crimes had been known at the time.
Ultimately, Phillips' sentence was increased by seven years, bringing it to a total of 29 years in prison.
He is required to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
Due to the severity of his crimes, even after serving the full term, he will be on an additional four years of license conditions upon release.
