Man sentenced to 25 years for sexual offences against children

A man from Crewe who was convicted of 43 sexual offences against children has been jailed.

Clinton Royle, of Elm Drive, Crewe, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 27 September where he was sentenced to 25 years.

The 62-year-old was previously found guilty of the offences at Chester Crown Court on Monday 29 July following an 11-day trial.

This included 28 counts of assaulting a girl under 13, two counts of taking an indecent photograph of a child, three counts of possessing indecent photographs of children, three counts of making indecent photographs of child, and seven counts of inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Royle was arrested following a report to police in 2019 about non-recent child sexual abuse offences which occurred between August 2012 and April 2016 when the child victim was between the ages of eight and 12.

Following Royle's arrest, an investigation was launched by officers in the Protecting Vulnerable People investigations department and various items were seized from his home, including children’s clothing, hard drives, and digital storage devices.

Royle denied all allegations during interview and was released on bail while the investigation was ongoing.

Cheshire Police’s digital forensic unit conducted analysis of Royle’s devices, discovering encrypted and password protected files containing thousands of indecent images of children. The files also contained recordings of Royle’s offending.

Further investigations were conducted, and officers were able to identify other child victims aged between three and 12 at the time of the offending.

Whilst Royle confirmed he was present in the videos and images with the children, he denied the offences, claiming that his actions and the images were not of a sexual nature. Despite his denials, he was ultimately charged with the offences.

On top of his custodial sentence, Royle will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order, restraining orders against the victims, and will also need to sign the sex offender register.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Amy Pegnam said:

“Royle is a predator who exploited young children purely to satisfy his own twisted sexual desires. These innocent children were subjected to horrific abuse, and not only that, but Royle tried to deny any wrongdoing.

“But thankfully the jury saw through his lies, and he is now facing a lengthy sentence behind bars where he cannot subject anyone else to his abhorrent behaviour.

“This has been a complex and lengthy investigation, and I would again like to commend the courage of the victims, the officers, and all those involved who have helped bring this man to justice.

“Anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse – no matter how long ago the incident took place – is urged to come forward and report it to Cheshire Police on 101 or through our website.”

Pictured  - Clinton Royle of Elm Drive in Crewe.