Man sentenced for child sex offences

Terrence Sharples

A Rochdale man has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for sex offences committed over 30 years ago in Leyland and Blackburn.

Terrence Sharples, 52, of Turf Hill Road, appeared at Preston Crown Court today (Thursday 19 May) after being convicted of 28 counts of sexual activity with a child.

It relates to offences committed in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s against four boys and two girls when they were aged between six and 16.

PC Nick Blackledge from Ormskirk’s public protection unit said: “I am pleased with the sentence given to Sharples which reflects the seriousness of the offences.

“This case highlights that it is never too late to report a crime – even though the offences were committed years ago, justice has been brought.

“We are dedicated to investigating sexual offences and, even if they happened a long time ago, we will thoroughly investigate all reports.”

Sharples was convicted by a jury on 19 April of five counts of rape, one count of attempted buggery, five counts of gross indecency and 17 counts of indecent assault.

The offences were reported to police from June 2009 onwards.