ROBERT WHITE CREWE PAEDOPHILE FINALLY BROUGHT TO JUSTICE AFTER DECADES

In August 2012, authorities in Cheshire publicly acknowledged the bravery of victims who came forward to report sexual offences committed by Robert White, a man from Crewe, who had long evaded justice for his crimes. The victims, who had suffered in silence for many years, expressed their gratitude for the compassionate and professional manner in which the police handled their cases.

White, whose address was listed as Goode Way in Crewe, was finally held accountable more than 30 years after the offences took place. During a court appearance at Warrington Crown Court, he was sentenced to a three-year supervised probation order and was placed on the sex offenders register for a period of five years. White had pleaded guilty to a total of seven counts of indecent assault involving two children under the age of 14, with the crimes occurring during the 1970s.

One of the victims, a woman who was only seven years old at the time of the assault, shared her experience and praised the police for their handling of her case. She stated, "My only dealings with the actual police were with DC Louise Wynne and she was amazing from start to finish. She is totally the right sort of person for the job. She asked all the right questions. Even when it was very difficult questions, she worded it in a way other people might not have. If there were 100 Louises, I would give every one of them a job in this area."

She also commended the support she received from the witness care protection team, describing their assistance as excellent. "They were really supportive," she said. "I have no complaints whatsoever. Even when I’ve rung to get hold of Louise and not been able to for whatever reason, they’ve all been so nice and helpful in her department. Anybody who is having doubts about reporting an offence because they fear talking to the police, shouldn’t. In my experience, they have been very sensitive and helpful."

DC Louise Wynne, the officer who led the investigation, explained that her awareness of the case began when she spoke with the woman’s brother, who made a slight disclosure. Upon speaking with the woman herself, she made a full disclosure of the abuse. Wynne emphasized the difficulty victims face in coming forward, noting, "It was very difficult for her because she said she had dealt with it in her mind but she obviously hadn’t. My approach is to let them tell me what they’ve been through and then let me take on all the worries and concerns."

She further praised the support services available to victims, including the witness care unit and rape crisis teams, which she described as providing a comforting and comprehensive support system. Wynne added, "The police always treat victims with respect. I feel so much empathy for those people who have the courage to come forward."

Overall, the case highlights the importance of perseverance and sensitivity in bringing long-standing offenders like Robert White to justice, and underscores the vital role of compassionate police work in supporting victims of sexual abuse.