Locations
Wingfield Road, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55
Description
David Twiname, 74, of Wingfield Road, Alfreton was charged with 28 sexual offences, including multiple rape charges, many of which relate to children under the age of 16. The first of the offences date back to the 1970s.
He appeared at Derby Crown Court in September 2021 after denying 10 counts of rape, five of which related to a child under the age of 16, and five counts of indecent assault.
Twiname was bailed pending a trial and a jury found him guilty on all counts in February 2022.
He had previously admitted several other offences including the indecent assault of another child under the age of 16, extreme animal pornography and sexual offences with a dog – the most recent of which happened in 2019.
He was sentenced to 31 years’ imprisonment at court today (Thursday 13 October).
Twiname’s wife, Judith Button, 59, was handed a two-year sentence suspended for a period of 21 months and given rehabilitation and community service orders.
Button, also of Wingfield Road, Alfreton had previously admitted charges of two sexual offences relating to children dating back thirty years and two charges relating to sex with a dog, between 1987 and 2004.
A second woman, Antoinette Holroyd, 78, of Alfreton Road, Underwood had also admitted indecently assaulting a boy under 16 and received a 21-month sentence suspended for a period of 21 months, and a rehabilitation order.
Both Button and Holroyd have been added to the sex offenders register for a period of 10 years.
Detective Sergeant, Dan Saunby said:
“The was an extremely complex case which spanned decades and impacted the lives of all those affected, some of whom were just children at the time of the offences.
“I would like to thank the survivors involved for their bravery and stoicism over the last few years, and whilst nothing can ever undo the harm that Twiname, Button and Holdroyd caused – I really do hope that today’s sentencing will allow them to move forward with their lives.
“Twiname is not only a paedophile, he is also a master manipulator who encouraged others to partake in his depraved fantasies. In denying several of the charges he prolonged the suffering of those he abused by forcing them to endure a trial. Thankfully the jury saw through his web of lies and found him guilty.
“To anyone reading this who may have also suffered sexual assault or abuse, whether now or in the past, please do speak to someone. There is help available, whether you wish to involve the police or not.