Predator Subjected Girl To Years Of Abuse That Began When She Was 7 In Accrington

Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Tuesday, 22nd October 2024, at 14:05hrs

He has now been jailed following a hearing at Burnley Crown Court

A sexual predator from Gisburn who abused a girl for years, starting when she was just 7 years of age, has been jailed.

In a statement released after sentencing, Lancashire Police said:

“A man has been sentenced to seven years in jail after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a young girl over almost a decade.

Anthony Baron first abused his victim when she was just seven years old, abuse which continued until she was around 14 effectively robbing her of her childhood.

Baron, now 68, of Main Street, Gisburn, was convicted following a trial of eight counts of sexual assault against a child between 2006-2013.

The abuse happened in the Accrington area.

He was sentenced at Burnley Crown Court yesterday (Monday, October 21st)

Det Con Ryan Benson, who led the case to bring Baron to justice, said: “First of all my thoughts are with Anthony Baron’s victim. Through his perverted actions he has effectively robbed her of her childhood and yet she has had the courage not only to come forward and report what he did to her but also the bravery to see the case through to its rightful outcome.

“I trust she feels some sense that justice has been done and I hope this outcome gives others who may have been through similar ordeals the confidence to come forward and speak about what has happened in the knowledge that we will investigate sensitively and professionally and without fear or favour.”