A TWISTED support worker engaged in sex acts with someone with learning difficulties and with the mental age of an eight-year-old.

Joseph Shaw, of Lydstep Court, Callands, ‘took advantage’ of his victim who has significant learning difficulties, and also took pictures and videos of his sick behaviour.

Psychological tests showed the victim, who has been assessed as having a significantly low-level functioning IQ, had a ‘basic understanding’ of sex and her ability to make a consented decision was ‘limited’.

At the time of the horrific offending, 28-year-old Shaw was a trained residential support worker for people with mental disorders.

He appeared before Liverpool Crown Court today, Wednesday, after pleading guilty to sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice.

The incident dates back to 2018 when Shaw invited the victim and her friend, who also has learning difficulties, to his house in Warrington and told them to bring beer. He had originally met the victim’s friend online.

Prosecuting, Peter Wilson said the victim’s friend left after a while, and the offending took place after her departure.

Mr Wilson said how the pair started kissing before ‘fondling’ took place and further sexual activity – which Shaw videoed and took pictures of but later deleted.

The court also heard how Shaw, who also tied the victim to his bed at one point, ‘intended’ to have sex and put a condom on but he ‘got the impression’ that she did not want to have sex so they both got dressed.

The victim then called her friend and asked them to pick her up. When they arrived she was standing on the defendant’s street and looked ‘sad’ and ‘scared’.

When she got home, she told her mum: “A man had done something to her that she did not want him to.”

In a victim impact statement, it was heard how she has flashbacks, struggles to fall asleep, is scared of going out on her own, and often breaks down and feels like she cannot tell anyone why.

Warrington Guardian:

Defending, William Staunton said at the time of the offending, his client was on a ‘downward spiral’ and had resorted to drinking after losing his job in the army – due to being unable to control his drinking.

“He had lost his place in the army that he was immensely proud of,” Mr Staunton said.

“His world had come tumbling down.”

The court heard how the two girls visit to Shaw’s flat was ‘spontaneous’ and that the defendant had just wanted some company.

Before sentencing, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary QC, spoke about the ‘utterly vulnerable young woman’ who was the victim of Shaw’s offending.

He said: “I have seen extracts from her interview with the police, it is clear that she is a young woman who has very significant learning difficulties.

“It only takes a moment of listening and seeing her sadly to accept that she has these difficulties.

“It would have been obvious to you quite frankly in an instance.”

Judge Menary described Shaw’s sick behaviour as ‘utterly incredulous’.

He continued: “You were someone who received training in residential support work for young people with learning difficulties.

“You had been taken on with a company that provided support services for adults with learning difficulties.

“You had had training and knew the risks you were taking.”

Shaw was handed a prison sentence of seven years and eight months.

He is also subject to a notification requirement and was handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and restraining order.