WIGAN CARE WORKER JAILED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

A care home worker named Shaun Vincent has been sentenced to prison for sexually abusing a teenage girl living in the same care home. The Crown Prosecution Service described Vincent, aged 36, as having 'abused the trust placed in him in the worst way by committing sickening sexual offences against a teenager'. It is understood that the girl was 16 years old at the time, and Vincent ignored her desperate pleas for him to stop. Vincent, according to prosecutors, 'made unwanted sexual advances' towards her before committing the sexual offences within the care home, which has not been named. The incident occurred in December 2023.

Vincent pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a trust position and two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity by a person in a trust position. He was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court to 21 months in prison and was also subjected to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. Additionally, a restraining order was issued to restrict his contact with the victim.

The CPS reported that Vincent admitted some lesser offences but maintained denial of the more serious sexual offences until the day of trial, when the strength of the evidence convinced him to plead guilty. The evidence included eyewitness testimony, phone messages sent to the girl, and forensic links to Vincent. A spokesperson from the CPS stated, "Knowing the teenager was unable to consent, Vincent still made unwanted sexual advances, using sexual language and committing sexual offences against her."

After his arrest, Vincent continued to contact the victim in breach of police bail conditions, leading to his swift remand in custody. Senior Crown Prosecutor Jo Palmiero emphasized the breach of trust in a care worker abusing a vulnerable teen, expressing hope that the sentence would help the victim move forward with justice. CPS collaborated with Greater Manchester Police to build a strong case against Vincent, which was supported by evidence, including phone data and forensic analysis, resulting in his guilty plea. CPS hopes that the sentence will provide some closure for the victim and allow her to begin to heal from the trauma inflicted by Vincent.