Patrick Elkin 66

Description

A 'bankrupt' ex-soldier from Staffordshire who abused two schoolchildren has been locked up. Former tank commander Patrick Elkin's offending only came to light when his two young victims revealed all to their parents.

The sex offender, who is now bankrupt after building up a 41,000 debt, served in Northern Ireland and the First Gulf War. Elkin, 64, has since been branded a 'monster' by the mum of one of his victims.

The mum went on to say his vile crimes could 'never be forgiven'. It comes after he was handed a four-year prison sentence for grooming the children and then sexually abusing them, StokeonTrentLive reports.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard how 'lonely' Elkin was arrested in 2020 after the children bravely spoke out about their ordeals. Elkin, of Longbrook Avenue, Blurton, later admitted sexual activity with a boy under 16 and two counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13.

The boy said Elkin had touched his private area a number of times. The abuse stopped when he sent Elkin a message saying he did not like it. In a statement read to the court, the schoolboy said he might want to punch the defendant if he saw him again.

Elkin's second victim told how he had touched her private area on more than one occasion. She also revealed that he had squeezed her breasts once, prosecutor Tom Sherrington said.

The girl said she is worried he has done it to someone else or might do it in the future. Her mum added: "What he has done can never be forgiven. He is nothing but a monster."

The former soldier was arrested on December 18, 2020. Barry White, defending, said Elkin - who has no previous convictions - fully accepts what he has done. Mr White said: "He expresses genuine remorse, shame, and his words to me, disgust at what he did.

"He has not sought to bring this matter to a trial. He is now a much more lonely man. He does recognise the impact his actions have had on the victims."

He said the defendant will lose all his possessions if sent to prison. He added that Elkin has a number of health conditions and recently became bankrupt after accruing a 41,000 debt.

Mr White added: "He understands this a very serious matter and the custody threshold is passed. I do ask, if there is any way this matter can be suspended I would encourage the court to consider that."

Judge Graeme Smith said: "You have taken those children's innocence. They were very brave to speak out in the way they did.

"Your actions have had a significant impact on the lives of the two children and will no doubt continue to have for much of their adult life."

Elkin must serve two thirds of the sentence before he is released. He was made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

Speaking after the case Detective Constable Tracy Adams, of Staffordshire Polices Child Protection and Exploitation Team (CPET), said: I would like to commend the victims bravery in coming forward to report what happened to them.

Im pleased that the judge handed Elkin a custodial sentence for his offending and hope that it provides some comfort for the victims and their families.

I would like to encourage anyone who may be a victim of sexual abuse to come forward and report it to us, regardless of when the abuse occurred, as we will do all we can to support you and bring offenders to justice.