In 2026, the Offender Database reported that Kenneth Booth, then 66, formerly of Towneley Road, Longridge, Lancashire, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the repeated sexual abuse of two young girls. On Monday, 2 February 2026, Booth appeared at Preston Crown Court for sentencing after admitting to a decades-long campaign of predatory behaviour.
The investigation established that Booth assaulted the youngsters—who were aged just five and seven when the abuse began—at addresses in Chorley and Longridge, Lancashire, between 1995 and 2019. The prosecution reported that his crimes were brought to light after one of his victims courageously came forward to report the abuse to Lancashire Constabulary. Following a comprehensive investigation, Booth was charged with numerous offences and eventually pleaded guilty in October 2025.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Booth admitted to a wide range of offences, including three counts of indecent assault, four counts of gross indecency on a girl under 14, and assault by penetration on a girl under 13. He also pleaded guilty to inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and multiple counts of sexual assault by touching. The judge noted that the abuse was prolonged and had a devastating impact on the lives of the two victims over a 24-year period.
The judge emphasised that Booth represents a significant ongoing danger to children, leading to the imposition of an extended licence. The prosecution emphasised that the defendant’s relocation between Chorley and Longridge did not prevent his eventual detection once the survivors spoke out. For his crimes in Lancashire, the court determined that a lengthy custodial term was the only appropriate way to address the severity of the systematic abuse he inflicted.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, Kenneth Booth was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: 18 years in immediate custody.
- Extended Licence: A further eight years on licence due to his dangerousness.
- Total Sentence: 26 years.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are in effect for life.
- Convictions: Admitted 1to 2 counts of sexual offences involving children and females.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Booth is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Lancashire Constabulary and the prison estate. Due to the extreme duration of his offending and the young age of his victims, his management is under the highest level of scrutiny by the Public Protection Unit.
As a lifetime member of the Sex Offenders Register, Booth must comply with mandatory notification requirements regarding his future residence in Lancashire. Authorities state that, given his age and the length of the sentence, he will likely remain incarcerated for the remainder of his life. Any breach of his registration conditions or his extended licence terms upon any eventual release will result in his immediate arrest and return to Preston Crown Court.
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