Step-grandad jailed for years of abuse

A man from Hinckley has been jailed for 18 years for sexually abusing his step-granddaughter.

At Leicester Crown Court today (8 July), he was sentenced for 14 crimes, including rape and sexual assault.

The offences took place over a five-year period, between October 2015 and January 2020, inside the man’s home in the Hinckley area. The girl was 10 when the abuse began.

After it was reported to police in February 2021, the step-grandad – who is in his late 50s but not being named to protect the identity of the victim, was arrested and an investigation began.

Following a trial, he was found guilty on Tuesday 24 May of four counts of rape, four counts of assault by penetration, three counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of sexual assault of a child and one count of taking an indecent image.

He has now been jailed for 18 years and also given a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), a restraining order against the victim and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

DC Georgina White, from the force’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit, was the investigating officer.

She said: “Following a guilty conviction for all 14 offences in May, I am pleased he has now been jailed for these horrendous crimes.

“It was not easy for the victim to come forward and report the abuse she had suffered for so many years but throughout the investigation and the trial she has shown extreme courage.

“I hope she can now begin to move on with her life knowing he is behind bars.”

• There are a number of different agencies who are able to offer independent help and support to victims of sexual offences in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Further information on these services and details on who to contact if you have been a victim of a sexual offence can be found by visiting Support for rape and sexual assault | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk)