Skelmersdale man who sexually abused two children jailed for 11 years
The victims were aged between 10 and 13 at the time.
Detectives are encouraging victims of sexual abuse to continue to come forward after a Skelmersdale man was jailed for 11 years for historic abuse he committed in the town.
David Gardner, 65, was also put on the Sex Offender’s Register for life, after being convicted of sexually abusing a boy and a girl between 2000 and 2010.
The victims were aged between 10 and 13 at the time.
Although the victims were too young to fully understand what the defendant was doing to them, one did question what he was doing. In response, Gardner said it was “all just fun”.
He also made one of his victims watch videos of older men raping children.
When Gardner was arrested, officers seized his electronic devices, they found thousands of images of indecent images of children, as well as extreme pornography.
Gardner, of Alderley, Skelmersdale, was found guilty of sexual activity with a child and causing/inciting sexual activity with a child. He pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children.
He was sentenced at Preston Crown Court earlier this month.
DC Dawn Croucher, of West Lancs CID, said: “First and foremost I want to praise the victims in this case for the bravery they have shown in coming forward and disclosing the horrendous offences Gardner committed against them.
“Gardner is a despicable individual who abused children to satisfy his own perverted sexual interests. Although no sentence will ever reflect the damage a defendant has caused, I am pleased Gardner will now spend a considerable amount of time behind bars.
“I would encourage anyone who has been the victim of sexual offending – no matter how long ago it occurred – to contact Lancashire Police. You will be listened to and we will do all we can to bring the perpetrator to justice.”