Sentencing for historical sexual offences involving multiple child victims.
The accused pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault and one count of gross indecency committed against five young complainants over a period spanning several years when the complainants were between six and ten years old.
The court emphasized denunciation and general deterrence as primary sentencing objectives for sexual offences against children, recognizing the significant long‑term harm to victims and abuse of trust.
Despite the typical sentencing range of 30 to 36 months for such offences, the court considered unusual mitigating factors including the offender’s advanced age, failing health, lack of prior sexual criminal record, and the passage of approximately five decades since the offences.
A reduced custodial sentence was imposed with probation conditions restricting contact with the victims.
