Locations
Sun Street, Woodville, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11
Description
A pensioner from Derbyshire has been jailed for five years for committing sexual offences against three young girls. The youngest of his victims was just 11 years old at the time. Patrick Costello, of Sun Street in Woodville, appeared in Derby Crown Court charged with 13 offences, of which he denied 10, forcing victims to give evidence and relive their ordeals.
The 68-year-old was found guilty by a jury of all ten charges which included several counts of gross indecency with a girl under 16, sexual activity with a child aged 13-17 and voyeurism. The court heard how Costello repeatedly committed acts of gross indecency over the bodies of two young victims whilst they were asleep.
He also filmed one of the girls showering and watched whilst she changed in her bedroom. Costello's voyeurism continued when another girl became an adult and he watched her in the shower. Costell had previously admitted to making indecent images of a child, one count of voyeurism and possessing extreme animal pornography.
The pensioner was sentenced at Derby Crown Court on 18 May and, in addition to the prison term, was handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a notification requirement for when he has served the custodial sentence.
Detective Staff Investigator Lindsey Scribbins, who led on the case said: I am so proud of the courageous and dignified way in which the three (now) women affected by Costellos crimes have conducted themselves during this investigation and subsequent trial.
Costellos behaviour was truly abhorrent. His offending was predatory, pre-meditated, and repeated, against three young girls when they were at their most vulnerable. My message for anyone out there who has been affected by sexual abuse or violence of any kind whether now or in the past is please come and speak to the police about what happened to you.
The survivors, in this case, came forward in recent years, despite the onset of this offending happening in the 90s. This shows that even cases of non-recent sexual abuse can result in a conviction. If you feel able, please report what happened to you -- we will listen, we will support you, and we will not judge.
Costello's first offence dates back to 1992 with the most recent being in 2016.