John Priestley, a former village butcher, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for indecently assaulting two young girls more than 50 years ago. Lancashire Police confirmed that he used his business to present himself as a good person while committing the crimes.
Abuse in the 1970s
Priestley, now 83, was the local butcher in Croston during the early 1970s. His offending came to light in 2022 when one of his victims, now an adult, reported him to Lancashire Police. She was just 11 years old when Priestley first assaulted her. Subsequent investigations identified a second victim, who was 13 at the time of the abuse.
Police stated that Priestley exploited his position as a businessman to mask his true nature, presenting himself as a respected member of the community while abusing young girls.
Impact on Victims
In a victim impact statement, one survivor said: "This abuse has affected me throughout my whole life. What he did to me enters my head almost every day and has done for the past 50 years. I have suffered emotionally since the abuse began."
She added: "One of the worst things about this abuse is the way it affected my ability to bring up my children and how it has affected my relationship with my husband. I made decisions about the children that I wouldn't have made if I had never been abused. I am a victim of John Priestley, and as a result, my husband, my children and my grandchildren are also victims. I can never put the abuse out of my head."
Denial and Trial
During police interviews, Priestley denied any wrongdoing. However, after consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, he was summoned to court, where he pleaded not guilty, forcing both victims to endure a trial. In April, a jury at Preston Crown Court found him guilty on seven charges of indecent assault.
On Monday, June 15, Judge Phillip Parry sentenced Priestley to three and a half years in prison.
Police Statement
Detective Constable Will Hogan of Lancashire Police said: "Priestley's victims have had to live for more than 50 years with the harrowing effects of the crimes he committed, before they had the courage to report them. They now have justice after conducting themselves with such strength throughout this process.
"Priestley used his good standing as a village businessman to make himself seem like a good person – he is not. He pretended to be a member of the local community, someone who was known around the village as a decent person, all while he was sexually abusing young girls.
"Priestley is 83 and will spend a considerable time in custody and will be on the Sex Offenders' Register for the rest of his life. I hope Priestley's victims feel some sense of justice, knowing he has finally been sentenced for his crimes."
Appeal for Other Victims
Lancashire Police urged any other victims of sexual offences to come forward. "We will listen to you, support you and investigate appropriately, no matter how long ago it happened," a spokesperson said.
