A 69-year-old man, Leslie Ruddick, has been sentenced to two years in prison for historical sexual abuse committed between 1971 and 1978.

Ruddick, of Irons Lane Chester, was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault on a woman, which he committed when he was between the ages of 18 and 25. The victim, who was between the ages of seven and 12 at the time of the abuse, gave a powerful victim statement in court, describing the lasting impact of Ruddick's actions.

"He stole my innocence," she said. "I was made to feel like it was my fault, and I was called a liar. I took to self-harming, I even tore my hair out. I have carried the burdens of someone else's actions for years."

The prosecution argued for consecutive sentences, citing the seriousness of the offenses, while the defense argued for concurrent sentences, pointing to Ruddick's successful career and early guilty plea as signs of remorse.

Judge Atherton, presiding over the case, acknowledged the impact of Ruddick's actions on the victim, stating, "There were severe consequences for her wellbeing. It was explained eloquently in her victim personal statement how it has taken nearly her whole life that she has felt strong enough to speak up about this."

Ruddick was sentenced to one year for each of the two charges involving penetration and six months for each of the two charges related to indecent assault without penetration. The total sentence of three years was reduced to two years due to his early guilty plea.

Ruddick will serve a minimum of one year in prison and will be subject to notification requirements for 10 years.