[A] sex offender has today been jailed for 13 years following historical sex offences.
Christopher Hartley, 57, of Denham Avenue, Warrington, was last year found guilty of a catalogue of historical offences which occurred at the Harris Children’s Home in Preston. He was sentenced today (Friday 19th January) at Preston Crown Court. He was also put on the sex offenders register.
Following a trial at Preston Crown Court in November 2017, Hartley was found guilty of 23 offences, including, rape, attempted rape, indecent assault and indecency offences against a child.
He committed these offences between 1972 and 1978. They involved five female victims aged between 8-16 years at the time.
The home, which was on Garstang Road, closed in 1982.
Andy Woodmass, from Lancashire’s Operation Fervent, which investigates historical abuse cases said: “I commend the victims’ bravery in coming forward and re-living their ordeals in order to give evidence. This is a significant sentence which reflects the harrowing nature of the offences.”
“Lancashire Constabulary remains committed to investigating offences of this nature, no matter how historic, and we would encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward safe in the knowledge that they will be treated sensitively and professionally.”
