Former Lancashire school caretaker jailed for 17 sexual offences after targeting children
A former school caretaker who targeted children online and committed a catalogue of sexual offences has been jailed for 12 years.
Stuart Williams, 57, formerly of Moore Street in Blackpool, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court after a jury found him guilty of 17 offences following a 12-day trial.
The offences included historic sexual assaults in Penwortham and Lytham, one of which took place while Williams was working as a school caretaker.
The investigation began after Williams was caught messaging someone he believed to be a 12-year-old girl.
He sent inappropriate messages and images and discussed meeting the child.
Officers from Lancashire Police worked with the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for South Wales, to identify Williams and arrest him.
While on bail, he began messaging another person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, again sending inappropriate messages and attempting to arrange a meeting.
In both cases, the “children” were in fact undercover officers.
A forensic examination of Williams’ phones uncovered five Category B and 34 Category C indecent images of children.
During the investigation, four adult women came forward to report historic sexual offences committed by Williams.
Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, he was charged with:
- Three counts of indecent assault of a girl under 14
- Attempted rape of a girl under 16
- Four counts of sexual assault of a female aged 13 and over
- Two counts of sexual assault of a female
- Two counts of making indecent images of children
- Three counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child
- Possession of Category B indecent images of children
- Possession of Category C indecent images of children
Williams denied the charges but was convicted by a jury after less than three hours of deliberation.
While giving evidence, he inadvertently admitted two additional offences of making indecent images.
The court heard victim personal statements describing the long-term emotional and psychological impact of his abuse.
One victim said the experience had had a “profound and lasting effect” on her life, affecting her sense of safety, independence and mental health.
Another said she had lived with guilt for years after not reporting the abuse sooner, fearing her trauma was not “bad enough” compared to others.
Detective Constable Hannah Sturgess of Preston CID praised the victims for their courage in coming forward.
She said: “Their strength in disclosing what Williams had done undoubtedly helped us bring him to justice.
“I hope they can now begin to move forward with their lives knowing that he is behind bars.”
She added that Williams had abused a position of trust and preyed on vulnerable victims, and thanked regional organised crime officers for their support in the investigation.
Detective Inspector Jon Weir of the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit said the case showed offenders who exploit children online or in person “will be relentlessly pursued and held to account”.
Detective Inspector Rich Davies of Tarian ROCU said protecting children remained an “absolute priority”.
Anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse is encouraged to report it to police via 101 or through Lancashire Police’s online reporting portal.