[A] man who convinced children they had radiation poisoning from Chernobyl before injecting them with needles to take fake samples, has been jailed.
John William Beaumont (16/05/1958) of Byron Road in Bury was sentenced to 16 years at Minshull Street Crown Court after pleading guilty to one count of assault and nine counts of indecent assault against two children and a woman between 1986 and 1996.
The court heard how Beaumont duped the teenagers and woman into believing he worked for the Ministry of Defence.
He convinced them they had potentially been contaminated with radiation from the nuclear disaster in 1986, despite never visiting the area in what is now known as the Ukraine.
He persuaded them that he was best placed to examine them and would get them to undress before inserting hypodermic needles in the victims’ arms, neck and genitals under the guise of taking samples.
In one case, he also used a Geiger counter to “check” for radiation, whilst he injected another victim in her genitals with what is now believed to be water.
The offences came to light after the victims bravely came forward to police in 2014. As part of enquiries it was revealed Beaumont had previously been convicted for similar offences dating back 30 years in Scotland.
Detective Constable Debra Gallagher, from Bury’s Specialist Protective Services team said: “In my career as a detective I have never dealt with a case as unusual at this one and I will never comprehend how anyone could use such tragic circumstances to manipulate and abuse people.
“Beaumont went to extreme lengths to convince these victims they could have radiation poisoning by spinning a web of lies including a false identity of working for the Ministry of Defence.
“He even placed the Geiger counter in the room to make his examinations appear legitimate and told the victims the samples would be sent away for tests.
“Beaumont was able to carry out these sickening assaults which were uncomfortable and painful by abusing their trust and scarring them. These victims had no reason to doubt him and were extremely vulnerable.
“It took huge bravery coming forward to police and words can’t begin to describe what they have been through. They should be incredibly proud of themselves for the courage they have shown throughout this case.
“I can only hope this sentencing today has gone some way to providing them with comfort.”
