SIMON PATTERSON FROM LANCASTER SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE CASE

In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the community of Lancaster, Simon Patterson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for a series of heinous crimes committed against a young girl over a span of three years. The offences, which include multiple forms of sexual abuse and the possession of indecent images, were brought to light after a thorough investigation by Lancaster police’s public protection unit.

Simon Patterson, a 50-year-old man residing on Barley Cop Lane in Lancaster, appeared before Preston Crown Court to face the consequences of his actions. He had previously pleaded guilty to a total of 22 separate charges, which painted a disturbing picture of his conduct over the years. The court heard that Patterson, who was employed as a company director involved in a kitchen interior design firm, committed these crimes against a young girl whose identity remains protected for legal reasons.

Among the charges, Patterson was convicted of four counts of sexual assault on a child under the age of 13. These serious allegations highlight the gravity of his misconduct during the period when the victim was between the ages of seven and ten. In addition to the sexual assault charges, Patterson was found guilty of six counts related to the taking of indecent photographs of the young girl. These images, which are classified on a scale from one to five based on their severity, ranged from level one to level four, with level five being the most serious. The court was informed that these images were stored on Patterson’s computer, further evidencing his misconduct.

Furthermore, Patterson admitted to making four indecent photographs of the girl himself and possessing eight such images. The possession of indecent images is a serious offence, and the images in this case were rated at various levels of severity, indicating the disturbing nature of the material involved.

The investigation into Patterson’s activities was initiated after concerns were raised, leading to a detailed probe by Lancaster police’s public protection unit. The evidence collected during this investigation was instrumental in securing the conviction and subsequent sentencing. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to protect vulnerable children from abuse and exploitation.