Raymond Hawthorne 60

Description

A paedophile who gave a boy Pot Noodles laced with drugs before sexually abusing him as part of a sickening campaign of assault and rape has been jailed for almost three decades.

Raymond Hawthorne subjected the boy and another male youngster to horrifying abuse over the course of a decade in the 1980s and 1990s, lavishing one of the children with trainers and a bike as he exploited him for his twisted desires.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the now 60-year-old 'preyed upon, groomed and sexual assaulted' his victims in the Birkenhead area; one recalled being aged as young as five when the abuse started before descending into rape.

His other victim described being given Pot Noodles during visits to Hawthorne's house, then 'remembering nothing' before waking up naked and realising he had been assaulted.

Robert Dudley, prosecuting, described how the pervert would put his hands down one victim's trousers and perform sex acts upon him. The behaviour continued for years and ultimately 'escalated' to him raping the boy on two occasions.

In a statement which was read out to the court on his behalf, the first victim said: 'It is only in the last four to five years that I have found a little peace and tried to put the past behind me.'

Hawthorne was said to have taken the second child on trips away to Blackpool and theme parks and 'bought him extravagant gifts' such as clothing, training shoes and even a bicycle, as well as plying him with alcohol and drugs. 

The now three-time convicted sex offender then 'smacked his bottom' and forced his hands into the child's underwear, sexually assaulting him.

Hawthorne, who was later said to have attempted to 'bribe' him with cash, denied his crimes when finally confronted decades later and claimed the allegations had been 'fabricated for compensation'.

The second complainant said that Hawthorne's actions had resulted in an 'indescribable impact' upon him. 

He added in his statement: 'I'm still finding it all difficult to process, the fact that justice has finally been done. I desperately want to start living. I want my life back, I want me back.

'He cannot harm any more children. This gives me hope for the future. I realise the past cannot be change. But my future can.'

Hawthorne, formerly of Crescent Road in Bolton, has a total of 23 previous convictions for 77 offences ranging from assault to prostitution offences involving boys as young as 12 as well as indecent assault.

The defendant represented himself in court on Monday, having last week sacked the counsel that represented him at trial. 

From the witness box, he stated that there had been 'no evidence whatsoever of any drug' being found in the Pot Noodles and reported that the complainant merely said the snack had 'tasted funny'.

Hawthorne also told the court that it's 'rubbish' that he had committed any sexual offences. 

He said: 'Being convicted of historical offences requires no evidence, just someone saying "he did that to me" and they are going to be believed. 

'I say I've not committed any sexual crime apart from selling sex. I just ask your honour to give me hope of a crime free lifestyle.'

Hawthorne was found guilty of two counts of rape, 10 charges of indecent assault and two offences of gross indecency with a child by a jury. 

He was jailed for 27 years, a term of which he must serve at least two thirds before becoming eligible for release, and handed an additional eight years on licence.

Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, Hawthorne showed no reaction as he was locked up and instead sat making notes with a pen and paper. He was also told to sign the sex offenders' register for life.

Sentencing, Judge Gary Woodhall said: 'Your abuse of these two young children was the beginning of a lifelong obsession involving the abuse and exploitation of young boys. 

'I am perfectly satisfied that you are sexually interested in young boys and will use them sexually.

'You have continued to maintain your innocence. You maintain a complete lack of sexual motivation for any of your offending.

'All of this shows that you continue to have a complete lack of any insight into your own offending and deviant motivations. There is a complete lack of remorse... you continue to minimise your behaviour.

'You present as utterly unable to understand the harm you have caused to children by your actions. You have sought to blame everyone other than yourself.'

Following sentencing, Detective Constable Lauren Blackmore from Merseyside Police's rape and serious sexual offences team said: 'This result was only possible thanks to the sheer determination and bravery of his victims.

'Despite Hawthorne denying the offences, a jury saw through his lies and he will now spend a considerable amount of time in prison.'