Blackburn child sex offender jailed

A 71-year-old man has been sentenced to three years in prison today at Preston Crown Court.

Steven Duxbury, who pleaded guilty to exposure and sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13, is already subject to a sexual harm prevention order to prevent reoffending.

The court heard that the 12-year-old, having finished school, had been in Blackburn market hall on 17 June 2022 around 3.40pm when she saw Duxbury committing a sexual act whilst looking at her. She burst into tears and alerted her Mum to what was happening. Security officers were called and detained Duxbury until the police arrived.

The court heard that the 12-year-old was devastated by what she saw. In her victim impact statement, she said: “I feel like my trust in adult men has been damaged. I have been having nightmares and I have been waking up screaming.”

Duxbury, who is a convicted sex offender, admitted the offences in interview, claiming he lost control.

Sazeeda Ismail, Senior Crown prosecutor for CPS North West said: “Duxbury subjected a 12-year-old child to his sickening behaviour for his own sexual gratification.

"The CPS is committed to bringing sex offenders to justice. I would like to thank the child and her mother for coming forward and reporting this incident.

"I hope this sentence will provide the child and her family with some sense of justice and that they can begin to put this incident behind them.”