Blackpool, 57, man found guilty of 17 sex offences after targeting children online and in person
A Blackpool man has been found guilty of 17 sexual offences after a jury heard how he targeted children both online and in person - including while he was already on court bail.
Stuart Williams, 57, of Moore Street, Blackpool, was convicted following a 12-day trial at which the court heard he had repeatedly contacted what he believed were young girls online.
The accounts were in fact decoys operated by undercover officers from Lancashire Police.
Williams was caught on three separate occasions, including once while on bail for earlier offences.
Police investigations also uncovered three reports of historic sexual offences against children, along with a report from an adult woman who said she had been sexually assaulted by Williams.
The offending took place in Penwortham and Lytham.
Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Williams was charged with a range of offences.
These were:
- Attempted tape of a female under the age of 16.
- Four counts of sexually assaulting a female age 13 and over.
- Two counts of sexual assault of a female.
- Three counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child.
- Possession of Category B indecent images of children
- Possession of Category C indecent images of children.
Williams denied the charges, but during cross-examination admitted to two offences of making indecent images of children.
After deliberating for around three hours, the jury unanimously found him guilty of all 17 counts.
He has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on February 9.
Detective Constable Hannah Sturgess, of Preston CID, said: “Williams abused his victims, both in person and online.
“He never admitted his guilt and instead made his victims sit through a 12-day trial.
“I can only praise the victims for the strength and bravery they have shown throughout this whole investigation and hope the knowledge that a jury saw through Williams’ lies brings them some feeling of justice.”
If you or somebody you know has been the victim of a sexual offence, report it online via https://doitonline.lancashire.police.uk/ or call 101.
Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.
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