An evil paedophile who raped an "extremely young child" more than 60 times died in prison just a few weeks into his 25 year sentence.
James Knowles, 78, carried out "depraved sexual acts" on the girl decades ago, but enjoyed his freedom until he was finally jailed in July last year. His traumatised and psychologically damaged victim first went to the police in the 1990s, but said she was told "there was nothing they could do, because it happened years ago".
However, the woman found the courage to come forward again in 2018, and this time her claims were taken seriously by detectives. Knowles, formerly of Amber Way in Stockbridge Village, was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court and sent to HMP Liverpool where he was told he would almost certainly die due to his end stage heart disease.
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Now a Fatal Incident Report from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) has revealed how Knowles, who had agreed a Do Not Attempt Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) order, lasted around two months before dying in the prison wing. The report stated that the prison had begun applying for Knowles to be released on compassionate grounds, but he died before that application could be processed.
An inquest in October last year registered the cause of death as end stage heart failure, caused by ischaemic heart disease (narrowing of the arteries to the heart).
At his sentencing hearing in July 2021, Judge David Aubrey, QC, told Knowles "your evil past has now caught up with you", stating: "You are likely to die in prison."
The pervert had denied any wrongdoing, but was found guilty of six counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault after a trial. The jury were told each count of rape specified he had attacked the girl "on no less than 10 occasions".
Knowles was allowed to give evidence from home via video link because of his poor heath, but during his sentence sat in a wheelchair in the well of the court, just metres away from his brave victim. The paedophile, who didn't have any previous convictions, had claimed she was lying and maintained his innocence.
Keith Sutton, prosecuting, told the jury Knowles had made admissions to his family, including that he "messed around" with and had "done some bad things" to the victim, before claiming that he was mentally "sick" at the time. The victim said she was raped "weekly" by him.
Judge Aubrey said this meant Knowles would now be sentenced for raping her "on no less than 60 occasions". He said: "It can properly and indeed only be described in my judgement as a persistent campaign of rape upon a particularly vulnerable child."
In court the woman read from a victim statement, in which she outlined the horrific impact of the abuse, how she spent her youth "looking over my shoulder", and how Knowles "did not only rob me of my childhood, but my life".
Judge Aubrey commended her "courage" and referred to when she first approached the police in the 1990s. He said: "Unfortunately her complaint then fell on deaf ears and she was turned away.
"It was a different era then and now complaints are listened to, investigated and examined and your evil past has now caught up with you." The judge said: "In her poignant victim personal statement she refers to her smile in an old photograph but behind the smile was a child living in fear, dread and incessant worry.
"She speaks now and still of her immeasurable pain and anguish."
Knowles shook his head and glared at the victim as he was taken out of court.ge anyone who has concerns about the wellbeing of a child or who has experienced abuse to speak out and seek support."
Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111. Adults can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 8005000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk
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