In 2026, the Offender Database reported that Andrew Abbott, then 38, of Cleadon Way, Widnes, Cheshire, was serving a prison sentence for the sexual assault of a child. On 17 April 2024, Abbott appeared for sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court following a trial where his refusal to take responsibility forced his young victim to testify against him.
The investigation established that Abbott attacked the girl in her own home in 2022. Despite the overwhelming impact of his actions, Abbott denied the offence, subjecting the victim to a traumatic court appearance where she had to relive the ordeal. The prosecution reported that the child, who was under the age of 13 at the time, was left completely traumatised and had her sense of safety in her own home violated. A jury found Abbott guilty of sexual assault of a child under 13 on 11 April 2024.
Judicial Findings and Impact
The victim’s family emphasised that Abbott showed no remorse throughout the legal proceedings, even laughing and scoffing in court. The court reported that the assault had a devastating impact on the survivor’s mental health, leading to self-harm and a profound fear of men, including her own family members. The prosecution emphasised that the victim’s life became very insular, as she lost her independence and was unable to walk home with friends or be alone in a room with any male.
The judge emphasised that Abbott’s cowardly refusal to plead guilty compounded the victim’s suffering. For his crimes in Widnes, the judge determined that while he was found not guilty on a second count, the proven assault required an immediate custodial sentence and strict long-term restrictions to protect other children in the community.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in Cheshire, Andrew Abbott was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: Two years and six months in immediate custody.
- SHPO: A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed, banning unsupervised contact with any child under 16 without prior written consent from social services and an informed guardian.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were activated.
- Conviction: Found guilty of sexual assault of a child under 13.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Abbott is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Cheshire Constabulary. His history of violating a child’s safety within her own home and his complete lack of remorse mean his status remains under scrutiny by authorities in Widnes.
As a registered sex offender, Abbott must comply with notification requirements regarding his residence at Cleadon Way, Widnes, Cheshire. Authorities state that his SHPO is a critical tool to prevent him from accessing settings where children are present. Any breach of his registration conditions, his SHPO, or his licence terms following his eventual release from prison will result in his immediate return to Liverpool Crown Court.
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