Description
A 77-year-old man has been jailed for 18 years after being found guilty of a number of historic child sex offences.
Sidney John Jenkins, of Woolavington, abused his vulnerable victims on his boats and the clubhouse of the sailing club he belonged to in the Bridgwater area.
He also committed offences at a caravan he kept in Cannington and at one of his victims homes.
Following a trial at Taunton Crown Court he was convicted of 12 child rapes, three sexual assaults and two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
He was sentenced today (Friday, 25 January) at Bristol Crown Court.
The court heard he would often convince one of his victims to stand and watch while he would abuse the other and would pay them with cash, tobacco, drugs and alcohol.
Investigating officer PC Becky Norton said: Jenkins systematically groomed his victims over a number of years, bribing them to allow him to abuse them with incentives.
Both victims have suffered significant physical and emotional trauma as a result of his offending and it will no doubt continue to have a lasting effect on their lives.
Id like to commend both of them for the determination and dignity theyve shown throughout the police investigation and court proceedings and I hope this outcome will encourage other victims of rape and sexual assault to have confidence in reporting offences to us, no matter how long ago the crimes occurred.
Id also like to thank the witnesses who gave evidence in court for their support their assistance undoubtedly helped us achieve justice for both his victims.