Oct 2005

Ex police cadet gets ten years for rape

A former police cadet who subjected a young girl to horrific sex acts which involved her being tied up and blindfolded, has been jailed for 10 years.

John Ellithorn was told by a judge at Preston Crown Court: “The range of activities you indulged in means I cannot regard them as other than of the gravest seriousness.”

Judge Stuart Baker said he had read victim impact statements from the woman who suffered years ago at his hands.

The judge said he took into consideration the harm he had caused his victim in later life in passing the long sentence.

In addition Ellithorn must register under the Sex Offenders Act indefinitely and has been banned from ever working with children. The two week trial was the second in the case after a jury in May were unable to reach verdicts.

The woman said that Ellithorn, a former police cadet and BT worker, had sex with her when she between eight and 14.

After the offences he urged his victim to keep quiet about what had happened, telling her it was their “little secret”.

A keen amateur photographer, Ellithorn once showed the girl a pornographic magazine and told her to mimic the poses as he took pictures.

She described other occasions when he tied her up and blindfolded her before sex.

The offences took place at Walmer Bridge, near Preston, and Fulwood, the trial heard.

After keeping quiet for many years, the woman came forward to police and told what had happened. Ellithorn, 55, of Felton Way, Much Hoole, near Preston, was arrested last year, but told police that the allegations made by the girl were: “fabricated – Hans Christian Anderson stuff”.

He maintained his denials during the two trials, claiming the woman was making everything up. Ellithorn pleaded not guilty to seven rape charges and four of indecent assault, but was convicted by unanimous verdicts.

He showed no emotion as the judge passed sentence.

On Ellithorn’s behalf, Nadine Hope told the court: “Because of his background as a former police officer, any prison sentence will be cataclysmic for him.”

After Ellithorn was sent down to begin his sentence, DC Catherine Thomas of Lancashire Police said: “These were horrific and degrading crimes committed against a young, defenceless and vulnerable victim over a prolonged period of time. The victim has displayed courage and bravery throughout the police investigation and the ordeal of giving evidence in live court.”

DC Thomas added: “The defendant made no admissions and put his victim through further torment by having to relive her ordeal in court.

“This has had a lasting effect on her adult life, as she struggled to come to terms with had happened to her.

“The positive result of this conviction is encouragement to others that,despite the many years which have passed since the commission of these offences, successful prosecutions cans still be achieved.”