Saturday 3 September 2011

Fifteen Years For Dominating Paedophile's Campaign Of Abuse


A paedophile who abused two young schoolgirls – repeatedly raping one of them for several years – was jailed for fifteen years yesterday for the “horrendous” attacks.

Donald Mead, 66, of Orbital Crescent, Watford, Hertfordshire was trusted by the girls’ immediate families and took advantage of this to ply the girls with alcohol and groom them for sex.

The rape victim – now aged twenty – was sexually abused by Mead from the age of 11 up until his arrest and the other girl – now aged thirty-four – was assaulted for two months when aged 13.

He was convicted at Croydon Crown Court on thirteen counts, which included anal rape; attempted anal rape; indecent assault; gross indecency and taking indecent images after forcing his victims’ to give evidence.

The jury told the girls, from the South-East London area were left “depressed and suicidal” and the rape victim had slashed her wrists.

She told police after Mead was convicted: “I feel that I can breathe again, that a weight has been taken off my shoulders and I do not feel scared anymore.”

The abuse started with the defendant’s seemingly innocent wrestling and karate workouts with the girl, but escalated to Mead performing oral sex on her and later raping the youngster.

Mead also pleasured himself to indecent photographs he took of her and collected pictures of girls in school uniforms.

“These thirteen charges represent your systematic, cynical sexual abuse from 1991 to 2008.” Judge Shani Barnes told the defendant.

“The effect on these two women has been devastating and the victim who was abused for two months has contemplated suicide this year.

“The rape victim’s statement to police was the most harrowing video evidence I have ever had to witness,” added the judge.

“The self-loathing you were responsible for was unbearable and the damage you have caused will last a long time.

“What you have done to these girls is horrendous.

“These families welcomed you with open arms and treated you with respect, which gave you easy access to the young girls in those families and they spoke of what a fun and wonderful person you were.

The first victim’s nightie was lifted up by Mead, who then pulled her knickers down and rubbed his penis against her buttocks and thighs.

He also penetrated her with his finger as she innocently shared a Brighton hotel room bed with Mead and his then girlfriend.

“Your next victim was a good natured compliant girl, the perfect girl for you to groom, dominate and abuse,” Judge Barnes told Mead.

The systematic rape of this victim continued for four years between the ages of thirteen and sixteen.

Mead received an indeterminate sentence for public protection – with a fifteen-year minimum and extended five-year licence period – and was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

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