Christopher Hindley, formerly of Culcheth and a long-serving Scout leader in Lowton, has had his appeal against convictions for historic child sex offences dismissed by three High Court justices at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
Hindley was jailed for 12 years at Liverpool Crown Court in July last year after a jury convicted him of offences including indecent assault, gross indecency and attempted buggary. He had faced 17 charges after the survivor came forward about abuse that took place in Warrington from the late 1980s into the 1990s.
The survivor was under 10 when the manipulation began, while Hindley was over 20. Prosecutors said the abuse escalated over several years, with Hindley exploiting the child’s age and trust. This is the sort of betrayal that leaves a mark far beyond any courtroom, and the survivor’s account made painfully clear just how long-lasting that damage has been.
At sentencing, Judge Katherine Pierpoint said Hindley had continued with his life, forming relationships, marrying, having children and working, while the victim was left damaged by what had happened. The survivor said the abuse had affected every part of his life, leaving him ashamed, dirty and feeling that his innocence had been stolen.
Hindley denied any sexual activity took place, putting the survivor through a five-day trial. The Court of Appeal considered whether his trial had been fair and concluded that it had. The judges noted that Hindley’s defence had argued that the delay in reporting meant the allegations were untrue, but ruled there was no basis for overturning the verdicts.
The appeal judgment stated that the convictions were safe and that the grounds of appeal must be rejected. In plain terms: the court examined the challenge and found no crack in the case big enough to disturb the jury’s decision.
Hindley must serve two-thirds of his 12-year sentence before his case can be considered by the Parole Board. He will then face an additional year on licence, and he must remain on the sex offender register for life.
DC Lauren Cunliffe of Cheshire Police said Hindley had manipulated the victim into believing the behaviour was normal, taking away his innocence. She said the survivor had endured years of mental-health struggles and further anguish through the trial, but that seeing Hindley jailed had offered hope for recovery. That hope matters. No court ruling can undo the harm, but the dismissal of this appeal means the survivor has again been heard and believed.