Southam rapist jailed 30 years on

A SOUTHAM man has been jailed for 15 years after being found guilty of multiple counts of rape and indecent assault more than 30 years ago.

Richard Guy Wells, 66, was arrested after the victim, who is now an adult in her 30s, reported the abuse following two years of counselling, which gave her the courage to come forward to police.

Wells was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court by Judge Paul Farrer who condemned his actions.

The abuse started when the victim was about six years-old and continued until her mid-teens.

Speaking from his experience in dealing with historic reports of sexual abuse, PSI Peter Herring of Warwickshire Police said: "People often blame themselves. When it starts with a child for example, and they don’t know what is happening is wrong, they agree to it and don’t put up any resistance.

"It is only when they get older they blame themselves. Threats may also be made to them by the perpetrator at the time. The person affected also fears not being believed by people they love and losing the trust of family members.

“This is a heartbreaking situation for anyone to be in and we would like to reassure anyone that wants to speak to us about a sexual assault, the decision on whether to go ahead with a prosecution is entirely with you.

"We are here to give the advice you need in order to make your mind up. We never pressurise anyone.

“Often something in the person’s life changes and this makes them report an historic sexual assault. They may have a child themselves that has contact with the same individual and they want to protect the child or have a fear of it happening to someone else.

PSI Herring praised the victim's bravery.

He added: "I would like to acknowledge the courage it took for this woman to report the abuse and take this opportunity to encourage others to talk to us if they have been sexually assaulted, even if only to seek advice in the first instance.

“It is also hoped that this sends out a message to those who choose to commit this type of offence that no matter how long ago it happened any complaint will be fully investigated.”

Wells was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court by Judge Paul Farrer who condemned his actions.

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