WESLEY SCOTT FROM LITTLE LEVER JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL DURING CAMPING TRIP IN CROMPTON LODGES

In June 2016, Wesley Scott, a man from Little Lever, was sentenced to over five years in prison after being convicted of engaging in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl during a camping trip. The incident took place at Crompton Lodges, a popular outdoor location in Farnworth, where Scott had taken three children, including the young girl, in July 2014.

Prosecutor Wayne Jackson, presenting the case at Bolton Crown Court, explained that Scott had obtained permission from the girl’s mother to spend the night at the scenic spot. The group, which included Scott, the girl, and two other children, set up camp by pitching two tents. After establishing their campsite, they went for a walk to Red Rock, a well-known local landmark. During the outing, Scott offered the girl a small cup of alcohol, which she accepted. Witnesses later described Scott as being cheerful and friendly during this part of the trip.

That night, the girl went to sleep in the larger tent, but she later reported feeling someone touching her while she was resting. She fell asleep again, only to be awakened by Scott, who had taken her to the smaller tent where they were alone. According to the court, Scott undressed both himself and the girl before engaging in sexual activity. After the act, he used her sock to wipe himself. The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told police that Scott did not speak to her during the assault, and she did not speak to him either. Before she returned to the larger tent, Scott warned her not to tell anyone about what had happened.

The following morning, Scott prepared breakfast for the group, and his pregnant wife arrived at the campsite. As they began packing up their belongings, the girl discreetly took her soiled socks and hid them in her pocket, later concealing them under her bedroom floorboards at home. She did not disclose the incident to anyone until several months later, when she confided in her boyfriend. Encouraged by him, she eventually told her mother about the assault. Police were contacted, and the socks were handed over as evidence.

When police arrested Scott, aged 36 and a father of two, he initially denied being in the tent with the girl or touching her. He claimed that the sock found at the scene was his and had fallen out of his gym bag, attempting to dismiss the forensic evidence. It was only during his trial that Scott, of Catterick Drive, Little Lever, admitted to the sexual activity with the girl.

In a statement, the victim described suffering from recurring nightmares and even attempting suicide since the incident. She expressed her distress, saying, “I couldn’t get what happened out of my head.”

Judge Nicholas Clarke QC, who presided over the case, noted that Scott had a criminal history comprising 18 previous convictions for dishonesty and assault, but none related to sexual offenses. While acknowledging that the offense was out of character for Scott, the judge emphasized that the crime was aggravated by the fact that Scott did not use a condom, denied any sexual contact, and caused significant psychological harm to the victim. As a result, Scott was sentenced to five years and four months in prison. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for an indefinite period and was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which prohibited him from having any contact with girls under the age of 16, except for his own children.