Locations
Ibstock, North West Leicestershire, Leicestershire LE67
Description
A man who sexually abused three children two decades ago has been jailed for 11 years.
Stuart Newbold was sentenced for nine crimes against his victims between 1997 and 2000.
All three, who are now adults, were said to have "suffered immensely" by his actions, Leicester Crown Court heard.
They contacted the police in 2018 to report the abuse that took place in North West Leicestershire.
Newbold, of Mary Close, Ibstock, near Coalville, was told he will have to serve two-thirds of his 11 year jail term.
He was also placed on a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years and his details will be held on a sex offender register for life.
Sentencing, Judge Ebrahim Mooncey said: "Three victims were all abused by you when they were very young.
"Correspondingly, you were younger too: teens, possibly just into your 20's.
"You're 39 now. The sentencing has to reflect those factors.
"The victims have been severely affected adversely by what they experienced from you."
Judge Mooncey said the female victim was aged between nine and 10. The two boys were both under 14 when they were abused.
He said he accepted the defendant suffered from mild autism as well as "certain mental issues" and experienced a difficult upbringing.
He added: "Although you had developmental difficulties, I've no doubt you knew at the time that what you'd done to these three children was wrong.
"You had the assistance of an intermediary throughout the trial. We heard from a psychologist that you may not now recall these matters.
"There is no suggestion of any new offending and I can treat you as being effectively of good character."
Newbold denied the charges against him, but was convicted at a recent trial at Leicester Crown Court of the following offences:
Four counts of inciting a boy under 14 to commit an act of gross indecency
Three counts of indecent assault on a boy under 14 years
Two counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 years
Andreas O'Shea, mitigating, said: "We're dealing with offences that happened 20-plus years ago and there's no indication of anything inappropriate since this and there's no evidence of anything else coming to light.
"He went on to live an exemplary life."
Mr O'Shea said a psychologist assessed the defendant as having "the emotional age of a 16-year-old."
He said the defendant's wife, also diagnosed with autism, was "an innocent party" who would suffer if he was incarcerated.
The barrister said he accepted the "unsavory nature" of the offences should be marked but 20 years of "unblemished conduct since" should also be taken into account.
The defendant's mother-in-law told the judge Newbold was "an absolute gentleman" who was protective, supportive and caring towards her daughter, despite the couple both having combined learning difficulties.
Afterwards, officer in the case, Detective Constable Andy Day, said: I hope the fact that Newbold is now serving a custodial sentence will provide a degree of closure to the three victims and allow them to move on their lives.
I hope todays sentencing will also encourage anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse to come forward and report matters to police.
"It is never too late to speak out.