KNUTSFORD YOUTH WORKER MICHAEL BUTTERWORTH JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE ON BOYS

In April 2011, a Knutsford-based youth worker, Michael Butterworth, was sentenced to prison for a series of sexual assaults on young boys spanning over 14 years. Butterworth, of Leycester Road, was convicted on 11 counts of indecent assault on a male and one count of indecency with a child following a 10-day trial at Warrington Crown Court.

Judge David Hale sentenced the 59-year-old to 12 separate terms, ranging from 12 months to five years. During a subsequent hearing at Chester Crown Court on Monday, Judge Hale clarified that all sentences would run concurrently, meaning Butterworth’s maximum time behind bars will be five years, with an expectation of serving approximately half of that term.

Upon release, Butterworth will be required to register as a sex offender for life and is also prohibited from working with children.

The court heard that Butterworth, a former youth worker, engaged in these offenses between September 1985 and May 1999. The assault incidents reportedly took place during swimming sessions, on international holidays, at Knutsford Little Theatre, and inside Butterworth’s car. The victims, now adults, ranged in age from nine to 15 at the time of the abuse. One victim was noted to have been left ‘emotionally troubled’ after being ‘groomed’.

Judge Hale described how Butterworth, who shared a bed with one of the boys, began to touch him, which later escalated to more intimate acts. The judge stated, “You were in a position of trust in relation to all three boys. You had developed a relationship with the mother of two of the boys, and you involved yourself by inviting them to stay with you on a regular, almost weekly basis. You took advantage of that. You had them sleep in your bed when it was quite unnecessary.”