BLACKPOOL SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL: TOMKINSON AND WORTHINGTON GUILTY OF CHILD SEX OFFENSES
In a significant development in the fight against child sexual abuse, three men from Blackpool have been convicted of heinous crimes committed against young female members of the Salvation Army during the 1970s and 1980s.The defendants, William Tomkinson, aged 70, Trevor Worthington, aged 88, and his son Philip Worthington, aged 64, faced justice at Preston Crown Court after a lengthy investigation into their actions.
These individuals were found guilty of a total of 23 separate offenses, which included charges such as indecent assault, acts of indecency with a minor, and attempted rape.
The crimes spanned multiple locations within Blackpool, notably including the Blackpool Salvation Army Citadel, where some of the abuse took place.
The court heard that the victims, whose identities remain protected, endured a series of traumatic experiences at the hands of these men over a period of years.
William Tomkinson, who was serving as the Salvation Army treasurer at the time, was first accused of abusing one of the girls in the 1970s when she was just 11 years old.
The abuse reportedly began when he gave her a lift home, an act that concealed his predatory intentions.
Subsequently, Philip Worthington, the son of Trevor Worthington, began abusing the same girl when she was 13.
Derek Smith, another individual involved, pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault against the same victim during an earlier hearing.
The victim disclosed the abuse to Trevor Worthington, revealing that his son, Philip, was also involved.
Shockingly, upon learning of the allegations, Trevor Worthington himself began abusing her.
During the police investigation into these allegations, a second victim came forward, revealing that Tomkinson and Philip Worthington had sexually assaulted her in the 1980s, starting when she was 15 years old.
Sophie Rozdolskyj, a Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, “These men abused their positions of high standing in the community to take advantage of two young and trusting girls.
Three of the men consistently denied the allegations throughout the investigation and prosecution.
However, the CPS presented a strong case to the jury which included compelling evidence from the two women who were abused by these men.
I would like to pay tribute to them for coming forward and giving their evidence to the court.” Details of the convictions include William Tomkinson being found guilty of 10 counts of indecent assault, Trevor Worthington of one count of indecent assault, and Philip Worthington of nine counts of indecent assault, along with one count of indecency with a child and two counts of attempted rape.
Derek Smith, who was involved in the case, pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault in April 2017 and a third in October 2017.
The sentencing for these men will be scheduled at a later date.
The case has drawn attention to the abuse of power within community institutions and highlights the importance of victims coming forward to seek justice.
For further information or media inquiries, please contact the CPS at 0203 357 0478.
