NORMAN THOMPSON JAILED FOR ABUSING BOYS IN WIGTON AND ASPATRIA

In a case that has shocked the local community, Norman Thompson, a 66-year-old former scout master from Wigton, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against seven young boys. The abuse took place over a span of more than a decade, from 1984 to 2000, with the youngest victim being only nine years old at the time.

Norman Thompson, who now resides at Belted Will Close in Wigton, was found guilty after previously admitting to 29 counts of indecent assault and one charge related to the production of indecent photographs of a child. The severity of his crimes and his manipulative nature were highlighted during the court proceedings, with Judge Peter Davies describing him as “a disturbing and manipulative man.”

The court heard that Thompson’s victims initially looked up to him as a role model and a father figure, which made his betrayal even more devastating. The grooming process involved Thompson carefully selecting certain boys to take on trips, during which he would often serve them alcohol and subject them to sexual acts. These trips were not limited to local outings but also included excursions to the Lake District and even abroad, where the abuse continued.

Thompson’s misconduct extended beyond these trips. He would invite boys to his home in Aspatria, where he engaged in sexual activities with them. Evidence presented in court revealed that he took photographs of the boys during these encounters and showed them images and movies depicting child sexual abuse, further illustrating the predatory nature of his actions. The prosecution described his behavior as grooming, emphasizing the calculated and manipulative tactics used by Thompson to exploit vulnerable children.

Throughout the trial, the court was presented with a disturbing picture of a man who used his position of trust to prey on innocent boys, leaving lasting scars. The sentencing reflects the gravity of his crimes and the need to protect children from such predatory individuals in the future.