Grandfather jailed for sexually abusing granddaughters

An 80-year-old man from Gloucester has been jailed after admitting sexually abusing his granddaughters.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on Monday 27 January.

He had been charged with four counts of assaulting a girl under the age of 13 by touching, one count of inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity (no penetration), and two counts of sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 17 (family member – no penetration).

The court heard that the abuse on the oldest of the two girls had begun when she was seven and continued until she was 11. The younger granddaughter was sexually assaulted on two occasions when she was 13.

Her older sister disclosed the abuse she had been subjected to after learning that her sister had come forward to report it.

The man was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison and handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. His name was also added to the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Detective Constable Mel Earnshaw, from the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: "Both these girls showed incredible bravery in coming forward and seeing through this investigation.

"A significant amount of abuse happens behind closed doors and involves family members or close family friends.

"We will always believe anyone who comes to us to report sexual abuse and will work with them to provide the appropriate support and achieve the outcome that they desire."

If you have experienced rape, sexual assault or abuse, and wish to report the crime, contact police by calling 101 or 999 in the case of an emergency. You can also report sexual offences online here: https://www.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre support women dealing with the effects of rape and sexual abuse. For more information visit their website www.glosrasac.org/