A paedophile's campaign of sexual abuse four decades ago left his victim unable to look at a jar of jam in a supermarket without experiencing anxiety and panic. John Hartley's systematic abuse still triggers intense distress in the woman at the sight of Hartley's jam, a namesake brand.
The now-mother also finds that a three-word phrase he often repeated after assaults immediately brings back his voice in her mind. The twice-convicted sex offender is now facing justice for his crimes against her and a boy whose life was ruined by his actions.
Awaiting sentence after legal delay
Hartley is awaiting a lengthy custodial sentence, having previously been jailed for sexual assaults against another girl 20 years ago. He had been due to learn his fate this week, but the case was postponed at late notice due to a legal technicality that could vary his prison term by up to seven years.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Hartley systematically abused the girl, who was aged as young as four, on an almost weekly basis in the St Helens area during the 1980s. The now 55-year-old, of Stanley Road in Bootle, performed sex acts on his victim before asking her if she enjoyed it.
Victim impact statements
In a statement read to the court on her behalf by prosecution counsel Peter Wilson, the woman said: "Throughout my life, I have tried to remain positive and be the best person and mother I can be. I have always loved and cared for my children. Despite this, I have often felt like I've been fighting a losing battle inside."
She continued: "What happened to me affected every part of my life. I think about this every single day. I find it difficult to sleep, because my mind constantly goes back to what happened. Memories replay over and over again. I've often feared people wouldn't believe me, which has made it very difficult to trust others. I don't believe I'll ever truly trust a man."
"My children have never slept away from home. I've always felt the need to protect them from harm. I constantly worry about my daughter's safety. My children are my whole world, but my fear and anxiety have affected the way I've parented. I've gone to great lengths to teach them about safety, because I never wanted them to experience harm. I never let them walk to school or attend sleepovers. Sadly, some of my anxiety has been passed onto them. This causes me a great deal of sadness and guilt."
She added: "Reminders can appear without warning and immediately take me back. Seeing a jar of Harley's jam while shopping can trigger anxiety and panic. Hearing the words 'is that nice?' is another trigger to me. I immediately hear them in his voice. No child should ever have to go through what I experienced. My children have been my reason for continuing. If it weren't for them, I honestly don't believe I would be here today."
"I can't help but wonder what might have been if these events had never happened. What the defendant did has impacted every part of my life. The effects have followed me from childhood into adulthood and continue to affect me every day."
Second victim's statement
Hartley also sexually assaulted a boy, then estimated to have been aged between three and seven, on another occasion, with the degrading details too graphic to publish. In his own statement, the male victim said: "I've been unstable all my life due to what happened to me and I've not coped very well, which has ended up with me getting in trouble with the police, relationships breaking down, not being able to hold down a job and not having friends. I often isolate myself away from the world so I don't have to talk to people. John Hartley has ruined my life. I want him to face up to what he's done to me and for ruining my life."
Hartley's 13 previous convictions for 24 offences include two counts of indecent assault in 2006, relating to sexual acts against a teenage girl. He was then found guilty of seven counts of indecent assault by a jury following a six-day trial in August.
'Unfortunate' complication
Wearing a black jacket and glasses in the dock, Hartley was due to be sentenced on Thursday afternoon. However, an issue over his age at the time of his offending against the latter victim arose during the hearing. While Hartley was thought to be aged between 17 and 21 when he sexually assaulted the first complainant, it was heard that he could have been as young as 16 when he subjected the second to abuse. Due to legislation in place at the time, the court would be limited to a maximum sentence of 12 months in relation to his case if that were so.
However, if 17 or above, Hartley would face a maximum of 10 years, with a starting point of eight years. Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: "There is a huge difference between a maximum of 10 years, with a starting point, in the guidelines, of eight years, and what may be, for historic reasons, a potential maximum sentence of 12 months."
Hartley, represented by Lloyd Morgan, will instead learn his fate next month to allow prosecution and defence counsel to make further enquiries about his then age. His victims were visibly emotional at news of the delay, with one having walked out of the courtroom at one stage. Further remanded into custody until this later date, Hartley waved to his supporters in the public gallery as he was led down to the cells. Adjourning the case, Judge Flewitt told him: "It is unfortunate that this case cannot proceed any further today, but it is important that I get it right. The provisions for sentencing people for offences that took place a long time ago are extremely complicated. This complication has not been foreseen by anybody until today."
