March 2012

Paedo jailed after praying on children for 36 years

A PAEDOPHILE who preyed on children for 36 years has been jailed for nine years.

Robert Urch, aged 65, from Victoria Court, Widnes, admitted 10 charges of child cruelty, indecency with a child, indecent assault and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, at Bradford Crown Court on Friday, March 2.

He earlier admitted a number of offences against four children.

Sentencing him, Judge John Potter said six of the charges “reflect acts of sexual abuse of three children on a regular, at least weekly basis, during which these children were subjected to gross acts of deviant wickedness or encouragement from you to become involved in such acts for your own perverted sexual gratification”.

The court heard Urch made an eight-year-old girl carry out sex acts on him whilst he lived in Cardiff between 1973 and 1974.

He used to beat a young boy with a dog chain and when the boy was 10, made him watch as he had sex with his girlfriend, telling him it was “part of his sex education”.

He forced an eight-year-old girl to commit sex acts on him, had sex in front of a 10-year-old boy and tried to encourage two young girls to carry out sex acts on him.

Prosecutor Kitty Taylor told the court the offences happened around 30 times in his car or at his house.

Between 2000 and 2001, Urch, who moved to Todmorden, West Yorkshire, after his wife died, inappropriately touched a young girl’s breasts.

Urch also admitted trying to make another young girl, who was nine, commit sex acts on him, between 2007 and 2008, but she refused.

He showed her a pornographic film on his computer and masturbated in front of her.

Judge Potter said Urch had caused his victims “deep psychological scars” and said it was likely they felt regret for not speaking out sooner.

“Each of your victims should understand they are in no way to blame for the harm your wickedness caused. You are solely to blame.”