December 2013 Bacup man jailed for 20 years over 14 child sex offences A MAN from Bacup has been jailed for 20 years after being found guilty of 14 counts of sexual offences, including rape and gross indecency with a child. A jury at Preston Crown Court found Joseph Swift, 53, of Cutler Greens Farm, guilty of three rapes, one attempted rape, six indecent assaults and four counts of gross indecency with a child. The offences were committed some time ago. Swift subjected his young victim to a number of sexual assaults, a court heard. But when she confronted him about his crimes, Swift told her that he wished he could ‘turn the clock back’. The retrial was held after a jury at an earlier trial in March was unable to reach a verdict. Swift had denied the charges against him throughout both trials. He was given an indefinite sexual offences prevention order, banned from working with children and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life. He must also pay a £120 victim surcharge. During the re-trial last month, his victim described him as ‘controlling’. She told the court she had confronted Swift about the abuse via text message and he had not denied it. She added: “He said ‘believe me I would do anything to turn the clock back.’” The victim said Swift sent her text messages asking her not to reveal details of the abuse. She said: “I wanted the evidence in black and white that he had done what he had done to me.” DC Deborah Sethi, from Lancashire Police, said: “This was a long and protracted enquiry spanning nearly three years. “I hope this significant sentence provides some comfort and closure to the victim who suffered this horrific abuse at the hands of Swift. “These offences were committed a long time ago and the victim has had to live with the effects ever since. “This sentence indicates the serious, controlling and degrading nature of the abuse she suffered. “I would like to commend her on the incredible courage and bravery she has shown in giving her evidence at court not once, but twice. “We will always vigorously investigate reports of this type, supporting the victims through the court process, whilst violent sexual offenders, such as Joseph Swift, are brought to justice.”