Jail for Burnley pervert (82) who abused young girls

Harold Worthington, of Chichester Close, was jailed for seven years and four months after pleading guilty to five counts of sexual assault by penetration at Chester Crown Court on Monday.

Judge Roger Dutton also placed Worthington on the sex offenders’ register.

The abuse started in 2004 on girls aged between nine and 13. One of the offences took place in Burnley and the others in Cheshire.

DC Debbie Carter, from Cheshire police’s public protection unit in Warrington, described the case as “sickening” and “disgusting”.

“Worthington’s abuse has had a profound effect on his victims. The whole case is absolutely disgusting and it is sickening to think of someone of his age getting sexual gratification from touching children.”

Worthington was initially charged with 11 offences of sexual assault, but admitted five. The judge took into consideration his age, but also the severity and depravity of the offences which led to Worthington receiving a substantial prison sentence.