LEE FURBER FROM SKELMERSDALE SENTENCED FOR 20-YEAR PAEDOPHILE RAMPAGE IN CHESTER

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Skelmersdale and the wider Chester area, Lee Furber, a former scout leader and school teacher, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a prolonged and heinous series of child sexual offenses spanning over two decades. The crimes, which took place while Furber was residing in Chester, came to light after a detailed investigation by Cheshire Constabulary, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior that betrayed the trust of many innocent children.

Furber, who lived on Willow Hey in Skelmersdale, was brought before Chester Crown Court on Friday, March 16, where he pleaded guilty to a total of 25 child sex offenses. These offenses included the rape of a young girl and sexual assaults on six other minors, some as young as eight years old. The investigation uncovered that his abusive activities began in 1992 and continued until 2009, with the victims suffering in silence for many years before finally finding the courage to come forward.

One of the pivotal moments in the case occurred in September 2010, when an adult victim, who was just eight years old at the time of the abuse, contacted police after Furber attempted to reconnect with her via a social networking site. This contact prompted a thorough investigation that eventually identified six girls who had been subjected to Furber’s sexual misconduct over the years. Police recovered photographs during their inquiry that confirmed the abuse, and forensic evidence linked Furber to the crimes.

DC Brendan Crilley of Cheshire Constabulary, who was involved in the investigation, described Furber as a “sexual predator who placed himself in positions of trust for the purpose of seducing vulnerable young girls with the selfish aim of satisfying his own sexual gratification.” He emphasized that Furber’s betrayal extended beyond his victims to their families and his own, as he had previously held roles as a school teacher, Scout leader, and carer for vulnerable adults. These positions of trust made his actions even more reprehensible.

According to police reports, Furber, who was in his late twenties when the first offenses occurred, engaged in grooming behaviors with his teenage victims. He befriended them, showered them with compliments and gifts, and gradually introduced alcohol and nightlife into their interactions. He encouraged them to wear provocative underwear he purchased and took indecent photographs of them, further exploiting their vulnerability. His abuse was methodical and calculated, aimed at gaining control over his victims.

Following his arrest in 2010 by officers from Cheshire Constabulary’s CID Public Protection Unit, Furber was charged and subsequently pleaded guilty to the numerous charges. As part of his sentence, he has been ordered to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing threat he poses to the community. The case has left a lasting impact on the victims, who, for legal reasons, cannot be identified, but who demonstrated remarkable courage in coming forward to ensure that Furber’s predatory behavior was brought to an end.