Man who abused children jailed for 30 years

Eric Mottershead carried out horrific and degrading acts on children, said police

A man has been jailed for 30 years for "horrific and degrading" sexual offences against children.

Cheshire Police said Eric Mottershead from Congleton, but of no fixed address, abused his victims during a six-year period from 2001.

Of the 35 accusations he faced, he was found guilty of 29 offences following a trial at Chester Crown Court, and sentenced on Friday.

Mottershead must also serve a further two years on extended licence, and is on the sex offenders register for life.

Additionally, the 60-year-old, who committed offences including rape and indecent assault, is subject to a restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order.

He was arrested after one of the people he abused as a child reported it to police in 2020.

In total, four victims were identified, and each time Mottershead was interviewed, he denied the allegations, and claimed they were made up, said Cheshire Police.

Evidence proved otherwise, said the force, but the case took until 2024 to get to court due to the complexity of it.

The officer who led the investigation, Sgt Lee Ferris, moved police forces during the case, but refused to hand it over, and remained in touch with the victims.

"I’d like to thank the victims for their bravery in coming forward and speaking out about the abuse they suffered," the officer said.

"Mottershead is now paying the price for preying on them when they were children and carrying out horrific and degrading acts on them."