KEITH ROYAL FROM HYNDBURN AND ROCHDALE SENTENCED FOR DECADES-OLD ABUSE CASES
| Red Rose Database
Rochdale Hyndburn Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has spanned over two decades, a man named Keith Royal, with connections to both Hyndburn and Rochdale, has finally been brought to justice for his past crimes. The victim, who first reported the abuse many years ago, endured a long period of silence and disbelief from authorities before her courage led her to return and seek justice in May of this year.
According to court proceedings, Royal, who was residing in the Accrington area at the time of the abuse, committed heinous acts against a young girl who also lived in Hyndburn. The prosecuting lawyer, Robert Golinski, detailed how Royal repeatedly forced the girl to perform sexual acts on him, engaged in indecent acts, and coerced her into touching him. He manipulated her by telling her that their encounters were a 'private secret' and warned her that revealing the truth would lead to trouble for her.
The girl, who was only a child at the time, was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety, described as trembling and shaking during her police interview. Her distress was compounded by her subsequent mental health struggles, including flashbacks, insomnia, depression, and an attempt at suicide. Despite her initial report, Royal was questioned but not charged at that time, allowing him to evade justice for many years.
Royal's criminal history includes a previous conviction for child abduction in 2012, for which he received a suspended sentence at Bolton Crown Court. Last year, he was convicted of abducting a 13-year-old girl. Now aged 67, Royal, who is reported to suffer from angina and spinal issues, has been sentenced to nearly seven years in prison. He pleaded guilty to four counts of indecency with a child and two counts of indecent assault.
In addition to his prison sentence, Royal has been ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely. He was also issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits him from having any unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16 until further notice. These measures reflect the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses.
Royal's defense lawyer, Jeremy Lasker, acknowledged the gravity of the offenses, describing them as some of the worst examples of indecent assault. The presiding judge, Recorder Suzanne Goddard, QC, emphasized the profound impact on the victim, noting that if the crimes had occurred today, some might be classified as oral rape. She underscored the seriousness of the offenses, stating that they caused significant emotional distress, including feelings of degradation and shame, and that the victim's suffering was evident.
Overall, this case highlights the importance of persistence and bravery in seeking justice for victims of childhood abuse, even after many years have passed. The court's decision marks a significant step in addressing past wrongs and ensuring that offenders like Keith Royal are held accountable for their actions.
According to court proceedings, Royal, who was residing in the Accrington area at the time of the abuse, committed heinous acts against a young girl who also lived in Hyndburn. The prosecuting lawyer, Robert Golinski, detailed how Royal repeatedly forced the girl to perform sexual acts on him, engaged in indecent acts, and coerced her into touching him. He manipulated her by telling her that their encounters were a 'private secret' and warned her that revealing the truth would lead to trouble for her.
The girl, who was only a child at the time, was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety, described as trembling and shaking during her police interview. Her distress was compounded by her subsequent mental health struggles, including flashbacks, insomnia, depression, and an attempt at suicide. Despite her initial report, Royal was questioned but not charged at that time, allowing him to evade justice for many years.
Royal's criminal history includes a previous conviction for child abduction in 2012, for which he received a suspended sentence at Bolton Crown Court. Last year, he was convicted of abducting a 13-year-old girl. Now aged 67, Royal, who is reported to suffer from angina and spinal issues, has been sentenced to nearly seven years in prison. He pleaded guilty to four counts of indecency with a child and two counts of indecent assault.
In addition to his prison sentence, Royal has been ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely. He was also issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits him from having any unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16 until further notice. These measures reflect the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses.
Royal's defense lawyer, Jeremy Lasker, acknowledged the gravity of the offenses, describing them as some of the worst examples of indecent assault. The presiding judge, Recorder Suzanne Goddard, QC, emphasized the profound impact on the victim, noting that if the crimes had occurred today, some might be classified as oral rape. She underscored the seriousness of the offenses, stating that they caused significant emotional distress, including feelings of degradation and shame, and that the victim's suffering was evident.
Overall, this case highlights the importance of persistence and bravery in seeking justice for victims of childhood abuse, even after many years have passed. The court's decision marks a significant step in addressing past wrongs and ensuring that offenders like Keith Royal are held accountable for their actions.