March 2018

Carlisle pervert who manipulated schoolgirl so he could rape her jailed for 16 years

A middle-aged Carlisle man who repeatedly raped a vulnerable schoolgirl has been jailed for 16 years.

Christopher Paul Charlton, 46, had denied five rape allegations and one count of engaging in sexual activity with his victim but he was convicted after a Carlisle Crown Court trial.

The court heard how the defendant had plied his young victim with alcohol so he could more easily take advantage of her, and even had sex with the child after she had passed out because of the alcohol.

He then emotionally manipulated her to prevent her telling anybody – even telling the girl that he was terminally ill with cancer to win her sympathy.

Passing sentence, Recorder Julie Clemitson told Charlton, formerly of Jubilee Road, Currock, that his abuse of the schoolgirl had impacted on every aspect of her life, affecting her mental health, her relationships, and her social life.

The court heard that the defendant’s manipulation of his victim extended to him telling her that he would harm or kill himself if he could not continue what he was doing.

“She was trapped by your despicable manipulation of her,” said the judge.

“You perpetrated the most appalling deceit on her.

“It’s clear that your offending has impacted on almost every aspect of her life and had a detrimental effect on her mental health… and you used alcohol to facilitate your offending.”

Prosecutor Tim Evans outlined how Charlton had also committed a sexual assault against another girl in September, 2016.

Richard Bloomfield, for Charlton, said the defendant was regarded by the prison authorities as an inmate who could be trusted.

But there was no mitigation he could put forward because Charlton was continuing to maintain his denial of wrongdoing, added the barrister.

The judge said that Charlton will have to serve half his 16 year sentence before he is eligible for release on parole. His name will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order forbids him from having unsupervised contact with any child.

That order will remain in place indefinitely.

As the defendant was led away from the dock to start his sentence, a relative from the family of one of his victims shouted: “Yes!”

December 2017

Convicted sex offender admits rape offences

A convicted sex offender has admitted to further sexual offences

Christopher Paul Charlton, 46 of Jubilee Road Carlisle appeared at Carlisle Crown Court were he admitted nine counts of rape against a child and one count of sexual activity with a child

The court was told that he subjected the girl to multiple rapes when she was aged between 13 and 16 years old. 

The offences took place between 2013 and 2016

Charlton was remanded in custody until January 17th, when he will re-appear to be sentenced

July 2017: Charlton has now been released

November 2016

Carlisle man jailed for sexual assault

A man who sexually assaulted a teenager after plying her with alcohol has been jailed for 16 months.

Christopher Paul Charlton, 45, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court. He had previously admitted a charge of sexual assault following an incident on 11th September.

The court heard how Charlton was arrested by police after his victim was “found in the street in distress”.

Since then she had suffered from anxiety, sleeplessness and spent nights reliving her ordeal.

Passing sentence, the judge, Mr Justice Davis, said he was unable to impose the suspended jail term that had been sought on the defendant’s behalf.

“You know what you did was very serious indeed,” the judge told Charlton, of Jubilee Road, Carlisle. “You had plied her with alcohol.”