TREVOR ASHWORTH'S SHOCKING SEX OFFENSES IN BURNLEY: 8 YEARS BEHIND BARS FOR ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL

In September 2003, a man named Trevor Ashworth from Burnley was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of sexually abusing a young girl. The court heard harrowing details of his misconduct, which spanned over a period of time and involved multiple instances of indecent assault.

Trevor Ashworth, aged 40, was found guilty of subjecting a young girl to humiliating and degrading sexual abuse. The court was told that Ashworth did not recognize the girl as a victim, displaying a disturbing lack of remorse and empathy for her suffering. His denial of the offenses and dismissive attitude towards the gravity of his actions were highlighted during the proceedings at Burnley Crown Court.

During sentencing, Judge Barbara Watson emphasized the importance of protecting vulnerable children from predators like Ashworth. She pointed out that the court's role was not only to punish offenders but also to serve as a deterrent to others who might consider exploiting children. The judge noted that Ashworth had initially assaulted the girl when she was approximately 11 years old, and later when she was around 13. The fact that he believed it was safe to reoffend after she did not report the first incident demonstrated a troubling escalation in his behavior.

Judge Watson described the second assault as a significant increase in the severity of Ashworth’s indecent conduct. She expressed her concern that each offense had a profoundly negative impact on the young girl, who was unable to speak out about her ordeal for a long time. The court was told that she was compelled to face the trauma of court proceedings and cross-examination because Ashworth had pleaded not guilty.

The judge further remarked that Ashworth viewed the girl almost as an equal rather than as a victim, which underscored his disturbing attitude towards her. She acknowledged that rehabilitation was possible but emphasized that it would require significant effort, especially since Ashworth was assessed as being at medium to low risk of re-offending if he were to undergo appropriate intervention.

Trevor Ashworth, who resides on Hurtley Street in Burnley, was convicted by a jury of indecent assault and indecency with a child. He had denied all charges throughout the trial. The court was informed that he had touched the girl indecently and committed a sex act on her approximately two years later.

His wife, who is now in the process of divorcing him, described her shock and distress upon learning of the allegations, calling it her worst nightmare. The court heard that Ashworth was sentenced to eight years in prison, with an additional three-year extended license period. He was also disqualified from working with children and ordered to remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.

In mitigation, Ashworth’s defense lawyer, Nick Kennedy, stated that his client had no prior convictions for sexual offenses or violence. He argued that the offenses were not part of a sustained pattern of misconduct over a long period, suggesting that the crimes were isolated incidents rather than ongoing abuse.