March 2015
Man who abused a nine-year-old girl in a public toilet has been jailed for 12 years
John Newton, 26, admitted going into the toilet in Workington’s Vulcan Park park intending to sexually assault the girl in August last year.
He had earlier pleaded guilty to false imprisonment with intent to commit a sexual offence, common assault and assault causing actual bodily harm.
Judge Paul Batty described the crime as “every parent’s nightmare”.
Newton, of Fisher Street in Workington, had also admitted one count of voyeurism and two breaches of a sexual offences prevention order.
Newton was told he posed a risk to children and would have to serve at least eight years before being eligible for parole.
‘Extremely dangerous man’
Judge Batty added: “This type of offence is about as bad as it gets.”
Speaking after the case, Isla Chilton, of the Crown Prosecution Service North West, said Newton was an “extremely dangerous man”.
She said: “This young victim showed great tenacity in refusing to comply with the demands of a strange man, even in the face of violence.
“She then bravely called for help causing him to flee, before this particularly serious incident could escalate further.”
Det Con Insp Mike Brown, who led the investigation, said: “Newton presents a significant danger to children and the wider community and the court have recognised this by taking away his liberty.
“We thank the public for their assistance in this case. They played a big part in providing information and evidence that helped to build a compelling case against him that led to his guilty plea and subsequent sentence.”
