Man jailed for catalogue of sexual abuse

Keith Whitworth

A man who committed a catalogue of sexual abuse against three children has been jailed.

Keith Whitworth 05/08/1953 of Great Gates Close, Kirkholt, was found guilty of 23 historic child sex offences, including rape, attempted rape, buggery, indecent assault and indecency against a child.

At Bolton Crown Court today, Friday 22 February 2013, he was sentenced to 22 years and made subject to an indefinite sexual offences prevention order.

The first victim reported abuse to police in June 2011.

She disclosed how Whitworth sexually abused and raped her over a number of years.

The abuse started when she was about seven years old and happened over a period of about 10 years.

His second victim was a five-year-old boy when he was first abused. The offences increased in severity over a period of time and ended with him being raped repeatedly over a number of years.

His final victim was seven when Whitworth began abusing her. Again the abuse happened over a prolonged period and including the victim being repeatedly raped.

Whitworth would either abuse his victims at a house in Whitworth, Lancashire or Newbold, Rochdale. He would also take them to various isolated locations and abuse them, such as Stony Vale Park.

Detective Constable Lesley Nolan-Brennan, said: "The detail of the shocking abuse suffered by the victims is quite frankly stomach churning.

"Over a prolonged period Whitworth repeatedly abused three very young children. The consequences of his actions have been life changing for them all.

"They have had to relive their ordeal in open court and I must commend their courage in doing so.

"I hope they feel a sense of justice now he has been sentenced."