November 2013

Child abuser is jailed for catalogue of offences against young girl

A man has been jailed for 15 years for a horrific three year catalogue of abuse against a young girl.

Simon Patterson, of Barley Cop Lane, Lancaster, appeared before Preston Crown Court for sentence after pleading guilty to a string of 22 separate charges.

The former company director, who was involved with a kitchen interior design firm, was accused of four counts of sexual assault of a child aged under 13.

The 50-year-old was also convicted of six counts of 
taking indecent photographs of the youngster, who cannot be identified for legal 
reasons.

The court heard the disturbing images of the youngster were stored on his computer.

Patterson also admitted four counts of making indecent photographs of the girl, and eight counts of possessing the indecent images.

Indecent images are rated in gravity on a scale of one to five, with five being the most serious.

The pictures Patterson had ranged from level one to level four.

He was brought to justice after a probe by Lancaster police’s public protection unit.

The abuse happened when his victim was aged between seven and 10.