JOSEPH SWINDLEHURST OF DARWEN SENTENCED FOR REPEATED CHILD SEX ABUSE IN DARWEN AND PRESTON

In a disturbing case that has once again brought to light the heinous crimes committed by Joseph Tracey Swindlehurst, the 62-year-old resident of Darwen has faced a court of law to answer for a series of appalling offences involving the sexual and physical abuse of minors. The latest proceedings took place at Preston Crown Court, where Swindlehurst appeared before His Honour Judge David Potter to confront the gravity of his actions.

Swindlehurst, who has a long history of offending, admitted to subjecting an eight-year-old boy to months of brutal physical violence and sexual assault. The court heard harrowing details of how the defendant, along with the involvement of his late wife, used the young child as a target for degrading acts of sexual violence. Many of these acts were carried out in the presence of Swindlehurst’s wife, who actively encouraged and participated in the abuse, further compounding the betrayal of trust and the severity of the crimes.

Judge Potter did not hold back in his condemnation, stating, “Around you, Joseph Tracey Swindlehurst, there are arranged the many lives shattered by your criminal behaviour over the years. Four women and a man were abused sexually by you when they were under the age of 14. You were between the ages of 14 and 24 at the time.” The judge emphasized that Swindlehurst’s criminal conduct extended over a significant period, with previous convictions dating back to 2018, when he pleaded guilty to offences involving four girls and a boy. At that time, he was sentenced to seven years in prison.

In the recent hearing, it was revealed that Swindlehurst’s latest sentence will add an additional 16 years to his existing term. This new sentence comprises 11 years of imprisonment followed by five years on licence, and it will run consecutively to his previous sentence, effectively making his total incarceration period 23 years. This means Swindlehurst is currently two years into this extended term.

His Honour Judge Potter described the impact of Swindlehurst’s actions on his victims, stating, “Your victim will never be able to let go of the trauma.” The court was also told that Swindlehurst’s late wife was heavily involved in the abuse, and had she still been alive, she would have faced prosecution as an aider and abettor to rape. The judge condemned this as a gross misuse of trust and a deeply disturbing breach of moral boundaries.

Swindlehurst’s address was listed as Melbourne Street, Darwen, but his crimes spanned across Lancashire, with the court highlighting the widespread nature of his offending. The judge labeled him a dangerous offender, reflecting the serious threat he poses to society and the lasting damage inflicted upon his victims.

In a separate but related case back in December 2018, Swindlehurst was sentenced to seven years and three months after pleading guilty to multiple counts of gross indecency and indecent assault against five children—four girls and one boy. The offences, which began when Swindlehurst was just 14 years old, continued into his adulthood, revealing a pattern of predatory behaviour that spanned many years.

Prosecutor Charles Brown detailed the disturbing accounts of the victims, including one who recalled inappropriate touching and another who described Swindlehurst as “cunning.” A third victim recounted being taken to a secluded area where she was abused and encouraged to involve a friend. The male victim endured abuse over an eight-year period, illustrating the prolonged nature of Swindlehurst’s predation.

One of the female victims expressed her remorse and forgiveness in a letter, saying, “I would like to thank you for pleading guilty and for saving me the anguish of reliving my childhood nightmares. After seeing how remorseful you are, I forgive you. Nothing can change the past. It is the future we need to look forward to.”

Judge Beverley Lunt acknowledged Swindlehurst’s troubled background, noting that he had experienced physical abuse from an alcoholic father. However, she emphasized that turning 14 marked a turning point where he became the perpetrator, abusing the trust of vulnerable victims. The judge highlighted the profound and lasting impact on the victims’ lives, describing the case as “unsettling and upsetting.”

Given his age and health issues, Judge Lunt took these factors into account during sentencing but made it clear that Swindlehurst’s actions warranted lifelong registration as a sex offender. Swindlehurst was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct.

Overall, the court’s rulings reflect the seriousness with which the justice system views such egregious violations of trust and innocence, and serve as a stark reminder of the enduring scars left by offenders like Joseph Swindlehurst in Darwen and across Lancashire.