Wickersley sex beast's appeal bid fails

Norman Battersby (64) was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court after he was convicted of 18 counts of rape— and other offences of indecent assault—in February last year.

Battersby consistently denied guilt and has shown no remorse, London's Appeal Court heard this week.

Lord Justice Maurice Kay, sitting with Mr Justice David Clarke and Mrs Justice Sharp, said that this was one of the worst abuse cases he had seen.

It involved repeated rapes of two vulnerable schoolgirls—one of whom was nearly forced into prostitution on Battersby’s behalf.

Both victims were traumatised by their ordeals, which had blighted their childhoods and only came forward to accuse him when in their 40s.

He had exercised a “tyrannical” hold over his victims, displaying no guilt over his actions.

Battersby’s legal team acknowledged that the 18-year term was “within the sentencing guidelines,” but urged the Appeal Court to grant a heavy cut because of his fragile health.

Battersby, of Greenwood Crescent, Wickersley, has suffered two mini-strokes in the past and is on a cocktail of medication to control high blood pressure, arthritis and glaucoma.

But Lord Justice Kay said that the 18-year sentence was fully deserved for an “horrendous catalogue of abuse.”

Battersby’s medical condition was “not uncommon to a man of his age,” said the judge.

He added that there was no reason why the court should show mercy to a man who had committed such “appalling” crimes.