Pensioner jailed for sexually abusing young girls (From Swindon Advertiser)

Pensioner jailed for sexually abusing young girls in Swindon

11:30am Friday 8th February 2013 in News

A PENSIONER who sexually abused two young girls more than 20 years apart has been jailed for eight years.

John Curley molested one of the children starting when she was just four-years-old, carrying on the abuse for almost eight years.

After the girl, now in her late teens, came forward an older victim of the 72-year-old heard about the allegations and also told what had happened to her.

As a result of the offending, which took place in Swindon, the court heard both victims had suffered terrible psychological damage, each resorting to self harm.

Claire Marlow, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how Curley first struck when the victim, now in her forties, was an eight-year-old in the late 1970s.

He would regularly touch the child inappropriately on an almost weekly basis until she was about 11.

Miss Marlow said the second set of offences began around the turn of the century, continuing until 2008.

The girl recalled how it starting when she was in the reception class at school, meaning she was four-years-old, again ending when she was about 11.

Curley, now of Canon Drive, Lechlade, pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault and one of sexual activity with a child.

Michael Hall, defending, said his client had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity meaning the victims had the peace of mind that they would not have to attend court.

“He acknowledged his wrongdoing and is clearly ready to take these first important steps to rectify what has clearly been a fault in his thinking,” he said.

Judge Douglas Field jailed him for eight years he also told him he will have to register as a sex offender for life.

He also imposed a sexual offences prevention order for 10 years, which will restrict his liberty when he is released from prison.