A JUDGE has lambasted a convicted paedophile for not having the courage to own up to his actions.
Judge Roger Dutton heard how Alan Newens, aged 68, of Birchfield Road, Lymm, had denied many charges of sexual assault over a six-year period against a young girl.
But on the day of the trial when he was due to face his victim Newens did not turn up after driving his car into a tree, claiming he was trying to avoid a squirrel.
Sentencing him to 12 years in prison Judge Dutton said: “It was only at the trial stage after your victim had come to give her evidence that you did not have the courage to attend
“It would have been far better if you had the courage to turn up to the trial and admit what you had been doing at a much earlier stage.”
Friends and family of the victim shouted ‘rot in hell’ after hearing graphic details of his crimes.
Warrington Crown Court heard on Friday how Newens had starting his assaults when his victim was nine.
His offending stopped when the girl was 14. But on the first day of trial on December 13 Newens did not turn up.
Prosecuting Wyn Lloyd-Jones said: “He was in hospital, he had driven into a tree – he was saying to avoid a squirrel.”
But he failed to return to court for the trial to start again and was arrested.
The following week, he admitted the remaining six charges.
Simeon Evans, defending, said Newens, who sat with his head bowed during proceedings, knew he had no one to blame but himself and was genuinely remorseful for his actions.
“He has found the experience of prison extremely dreadful,” added Mr Evans.
“He’s found the foul language around him completely distasteful.”
Judge Dutton told Newens: “Over a period of six years from about nine to 14 you treated her as a sexual object.
“She describes you now as being vile. She kept this dark secret to herself for some time.
“It is to be hoped this will be part of the closure for her, she will be able to use today as a milestone in her recovery.”
