An elderly man was sentenced by Kingston Crown Court to 11 years in jail for child sexual abuse dating back as far as 63 years.
Reginald Davies, 78, was convicted for a series of sexual assaults that took place in the south of Wales over a 24 year period. On Wednesday, a jury convicted Mr Davies on 13 counts of rape, attempted rape, indecent assault and indecency with a child.
On Friday, trial judge, Her Honour Susan Tapping, sentenced Mr Davies to 11 years jail for crimes she described as “utterly depraved”.
Mr Davies moved to Australia in 1974, but was extradited by Australian authorities last year to face charges in the UK.
Evidence heard during the three week trial described how Mr Davies assaulted a girl of 10 while still a teenager himself some 63 years ago.
Mr Davies went on to groom three young girls, making his victims feel “they wouldn’t be believed, were to blame, and would be removed from their parents” if they told of the abuse.
He also told one of his victims she would be taken to a “naughty girl’s home” if she spoke to anyone about the abuse and she would never see her mother again.
The case has made history in what is believed to be the oldest charges ever to be heard in a UK court.
Detective Inspector, Tessa Philpott, of the Child Abuse Investigation Command, said: “I would imagine he thought his past would never catch up with him and he would never face justice, but thanks to the bravery of his victims, his past did catch up with him, and today he faces justice.”
Metropolitan Police hope the case will give confidence to other victims to come forward and report their experiences regardless of time and distance.
