THE PASSAGE of time is no barrier to prosecution for child abusers say police chiefs.
The warning comes after retired woodwork teacher Roland Midgley was jailed for three-and-half-years for sexually abusing two schoolboys at Kineton High School in the 1980s.
The perverted 72 year-old, of Warwick Road, Southam, was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life after he was found guilty at Warwick Crown Court of three charges of indecently assaulting the boys.
Midgley, who worked at the school for 33 years before he retired in 2000, and was also head of years one and two, had denied all charges against him.
His abuse first came to light when one of the victims complained to police in 1999, but Midgley was not charged at the time, and the matter lay dormant.
But the other victim later came forward when discussing his school days on a social media site, which brought back memories of his abuse at the hands of Midgley, who had fondled both then 13 year-old boys.
Following a police investigation Midgley was charged in relation to the abuse of both boys.
Warwickshire Police staff investigator Andy Milne, who led the operation, said: “This case shows the passage of time is not a barrier to bringing a successful prosecution.
“Both victims in this matter should be commended for their courage in coming forward to disclose the abuse they suffered as young boys at the hands of a teacher, and being prepared to speak in court about what happened to them and the effect it has had on their adult lives.
“I hope the outcome of this trial will give other victims of crimes of this nature the confidence to come forward and speak out.”
Before Midgley was sentenced, an impact statement from one of the victims was read in court.
It said: “Every time I see sexual abuse on the television I end up back in his woodwork office. It was hard to go forward with this, but I need closure.”
The other man felt the system had let him down because the abuse had taken place at a school which should have been a safe place.
Jailing Midgley, Recorder Nicholas Syfret QC told him: “I accept there is much in your life that has been of true merit as a teacher, of true merit as a husband, and of true merit as a father.
“But that should not deflect the court from appreciating the suffering of your victims. Your actions will affect them for their entire lives. No sentence I pass can alter that fact.
“Your behaviour was a gross breach of trust. You took these two boys, individually, to a place of complete privacy, and there you touched them sexually.
“The experience for both boys must have been terrifying.”
Lee Masters, defending, said Midgley’s family were ‘absolutely devastated’ by the verdicts.
After the sentencing, an NSPCC spokesman said: “Midgley exploited his position of trust and respect to carry out these vile attacks on pupils.
“Child abuse can have a devastating and lifelong impact on victims, and it is vital they now get the support they need to help them move forward with their lives.”
Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence or is concerned about someone’s behaviour towards children should call police on 101 – 999 in an emergency. Victims can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.
