91-year-old paedophile from Biggleswade jailed for 13 years after indecently assaulting young girl

A 91-year-old man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to a grim list of horrific sexual offences.

John Radford, from Stratton Way, Biggleswade, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on Thursday, March 18, after pleading guilty to a number of counts of child sexual offences, including indecent assault on a girl under 14, voyeurism as well as charges relating to indecent images of a child - which included Category A pictures - the most depraved and sickest images.

The victim, who cannot be named, said: "He destroyed my childhood and nearly destroyed me. I'm living my own prison sentence that cannot remove my emotions that are infected and the images that cannot be cured."

Detective Inspector Martin Eaton from Bedfordshire Police’s protecting vulnerable persons unit, who investigated the case, said: “We are delighted with the sentence that was handed to Radford, as he took advantage of his victim’s young age. Now, only as an adult, have they found the voice and the courage to come forward and report what happened.

“Child sexual abuse is a most heinous crime and it will never be tolerated in our county, but it is never too late to make a report, no matter how long ago it took place, and I hope that this case shows others who may have suffered in a similar way, that if you come forward, your voice will be heard and we will do all we can to see perpetrators brought to justice."

To report concerns around child sexual abuse, call police on 101.

Parents can also visit the Parents Protect website, which is run by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, for lots of useful resources to help prevent child sexual abuse.

The NSPCC website also has useful advice and information on how to spot the signs of child sexual abuse.

If something has happened to you, or someone is doing something you're not comfortable with, and you're not sure who to talk to, you can also call Childline free on 0800 1111 from a landline or mobile for confidential advice.