AN Orford paedophile who preyed on young children in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s has had his prison sentence for the historic sex offences cut by half.
Kenneth Shaw admitted the crimes and was sentenced to six years in prison on Friday, 1 May, after appearing at Liverpool Crown Court. But today the sentence was reduced to three years
Shaw, 64, of Northway, Orford, Warrington, had pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14, two counts of gross indecency with a boy under the age of 14, one count of gross indecency with a girl under the age of 14, and two counts of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14.
In February 2024, one of the victims in this case made a report of non-recent sexual abuse which had been committed by Shaw when the victim was approximately 10-years-old.
A further three victims also reported similar incidents which had happened to them, all when they were children. The offences were committed in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Shaw was questioned in relation to the offences and later charged.
Shaw had targeted four different youngsters over a period of several years, exposing himself and sexually assaulting them. The children were all aged under 11-years-old, with the youngest being just three when she was assaulted. Shaw was aged around 16 when he carried out his first attack on a girl in on the 1970s.
He was initially sentenced to a total of six years in prison, having been sentenced according to the laws in place at the time his crimes were committed, which the court heard were significantly more lenient than today’s guidelines.
This sentenced has now been reduced to three years under the “slip rule”, which states a court may correct an error or omission in a judgement at any time.
In reducing the sentence Judge Simon Medland said a psychological report highlighted very practical issues Shaw had in terms of his level of maturity and ability at the time of the offences and also his current state of health. He said the six year sentence was “greatly longer than was needed” and reduced it to three years, of which Shaw will serve “not more than half” before being released on licence.
A sexual harm prevention order remains in place, and Shaw will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
After the sentencing last week, Detective Inspector Jo Morgan said: “Shaw committed some atrocious crimes against four young victims, the impact of which stayed with them throughout their childhoods and adult lives.
“I hope the conclusion of this court case will help to bring them closure over something which they have been carrying the weight of all these years.
“Shaw must have thought he had got away with what he had done, but as this case shows, it is never too late to report offences to us, as the victims did once they felt they were ready to.
“Please rest assured, you will be listened to, and we will investigate every report thoroughly. You can report through our website or by calling 101.”
