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Sex abuse ex-cop was a "monster"

21/ 3/2002

AN EX-POLICE officer from Eccles who was branded 'worse than a beast' by a Manchester judge, began a 14-year prison sentence yesterday (Wednesday).

James Southwell, 68, was found guilty of raping and abusing eight schoolchildren over a 17-year reign of depravity which started whilst several of his victims were still at primary school.

At Minshull Street Crown Court on Wednesday, Judge John Burke told Southwell: "To call you a beast would be an insult to the animal kingdom." He was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

The court heard how Southwell rewarded one victim with a Cindy doll and money and carried out a makeshift abortion on another when she became pregnant at 17. Southwell had denied 34 counts of rape, indecent assault, attempted rape and using an instrument to procure an abortion. He had previously pleaded guilty to two charges of rape.

Judge Burke said: "You presided over a circus of depravity for years using these children as sex toys to satisfy your depraved and perverted lust. Some were as young as six. Instead of genuine affection and guidance you defiled them and the effect was plain to see in the witness box. This will live with them for the rest of their lives.

"To call you a beast would be an insult to the animal kingdom - you were more like a monster. You did not even have the decency to plead guilty."

Jurors were visibly moved as they delivered their verdict. They had listened to hours of painful testimonies from Southwell's victims.

The court heard how Southwell, a married man, was a hard-drinking authoritarian who dished out beatings as well as sexually assaulting his victims.

A 35-year-old mother-of-one sobbed as she told the jury how, as a child, she was raped and abused, then rewarded. She broke down as she detailed a horrifying catalogue of assaults which began when she was six and ended when she was 18. Southwell carried out an abortion on her using heated copper wires when she became pregnant at 17.

Prosecutor Mr Maurice Greene told the jury that the victims - seven girls and a boy - were regular visitors to his home and often slept over. Mr Greene said witnesses described Southwell as a "heavy drinker" who was regularly violent and abusive.

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