Description
A CARLISLE man who sexually abused a schoolgirl more than 40 years ago when he was a teenager has finally faced justice – after he returned to the UK from his home in Russia.
During the abuse, Andrew Blenkinsopp, now 58, bullied his victim and threatened her, enforcing her silence by telling her she would not be believed if she spoke of what happened.
But with the encouragement of a relative, she did report Blenkinsopp, leading him being charged.
On the day he was due to stand trial, the defendant - arrested at the airport when he returned from his home in Russia to renew his visa - admitted nine sexual assaults on the victim, including two said to be tantamount to rapes.
After the case concluded, Cumbria Police said it showed that it was never too late for victims to speak out and report such crimes. Officers also praised the courage of the victim.
Prosecutor Tim Evans outlined how Blenkinsopp was able to physically dominate the girl, pinning her down as he carried out the abuse. At the time, he aged between 14 and 16, the court heard.
“He would also threaten her, stating that if she told anyone, no one would believe her,” said the barrister.
In a statement, the victim said: “When it finally stopped, I was at secondary school and I was a bit more aware of sex education and what was going on and I really knew that it wasn’t right and he shouldn’t be doing it to me.
“It was just verbal threats all the time.”
Blenkinsopp, who previously lived in Etterby in Carlisle, repeatedly told the teenager nobody will believe her if she reported the abuse, suggesting she would face negative consequences.
Mr Evans said: “She talks in her victim personal statement of the terrible effect the abuse had upon her.”
Defence barrister Daniel Bramhall told the court that Blenkinsopp had a difficult upbringing. Having lived in Russia with his wife since 2011, he had addressed his drinking habit but was currently in poor health.
When released from jail, he hopes to return to Russia. References provided for the defendant painted a “different” picture and Blenkinsopp, in stark contrast to the person he was 40 years ago, the court heard.
The defendant had also said that he wished he could turn back the clock.
Passing sentence as the victim and her family watched from the court’s public gallery, Judge Michael Fanning said that Blenkinsopp’s abuse took away the victim’s childhood and her teenage years.
His crimes had “substantially reduced the quality of her life.”
Supported by her husband and family, the woman had suffered “real psychological harm, which had persisted over years,” said the judge. This included suicidal thoughts, an overwhelming of her ability to work, and the need for medication and counselling.
What happened left her feeling “dirty”.
The judge said he regarded the victims as having been “vulnerable” and she had been subjected to “bullying and force” and threats – all aggravating factors.
But the judge explained that he was obliged by law to reduce the length of sentence to reflect that fact that Blenkinsopp was a youth when he offended.
He jailed Blenkinsopp for three years and seven months. He also placed him on the Sex Offender Register indefinitely. The judge declined to rule that Blenkinsopp is a dangerous offender.
He did however make an indefinite restraining order, banning the defendant from having any contact with his victim.
After passing that sentence, Judge Fanning turned to the victim in the pubic gallery and addressed her directly, describing the exercise as a “horrible mechanistic process” and complicated.
He said he needed to “get it right” so that a line could be drawn under what happened. “All I can hope is that things get better now that his abuse has been recognised.” The woman thanked the judge, who offered his best wishes to her and her family.
After the hearing, Detective Constable Gabrielle Nicholson, who oversaw the case, said: “I hope that this case sends a clear message to perpetrators that no matter how much time has passed, sexual abuse will not be tolerated by Cumbria Constabulary.
“We will do everything within our power to hold people who commit these crime accountable for their actions.
“No matter how much time has passed, support is available in Cumbria for victims of sexual offences.
“The Constabulary works closely with trusted partner agencies to provide the appropriate support which is tailored to an individual’s circumstances.
“I would encourage anyone who has been victim to a sexual offence to contact police.
“Taking that first step to telling somebody what has happened to you is often the most difficult.
“But please know that if you do, you will be provided with information which will enable you to make choices on how you wish to move forward.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the bravery and courage of the victim for coming forward and reporting this.”