Fred Florence 51

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A predatory and dangerous rapist who thought of his victims as ‘less than human’ has been sentenced to 13 years and six months today (Friday 12 December).

Fred Florence, 51, of Katherines Walk, Ledbury, was sentenced at Hereford Crown Court where he showed no remorse.

Florence (pictured) was already serving a seven years and six months term after being convicted in June this year for a nasty GBH assault in 2016 where his victim received life-changing injuries.

Today, he was given 13 years and six months for the rape sentence to start consecutively after his GBH sentence and will have to serve a further five years on licence once he is freed as he is such a dangerous offender.

He was also given three years for each of a two further counts of non-recent sexual assaults on two children victims to run concurrently with the rape sentence.

Florence must serve at least two thirds of both the GBH and rape sentences which total 21 years so he will not be eligible for parole before 2039, 14 years from now.

He must also sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

Detective Constable Sarah Carroll, of our Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team (OCSET), said:

“We are pleased that the judge has recognised the disgusting and evil nature of Florence’s sexual crimes which will never heal the pain of his victims but may hopefully allow them to start to move on with their lives now.

“His Honour Judge Jackson stated Florence was a predatory sex offender and self-centred bully who thought of his victims as less than human which shows his appalling attitude towards them.

“Such was the level of fear and intimidation he held over his victims; they delayed coming to police for many years, and we suspect there may be further victims who have been too scared to complain. So, we hope they will now come forward and speak to us.

“The victims have been extremely brave in coming forward to us and we would like to pay tribute to them as their evidence has led to a dangerous man being sent to prison for a long time.

“Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of Florence or who suspects they know of any other offences committed by him is urged to contact Hereford CID Supervision via 101.”