Robert Jepson 62

Description

A paedophile who raped and sexually abused a young girl over nearly seven years has been jailed for 19-and-a-half years.

Robert Jepson, 62, abused the victim between December 2015 and October 2022 in St Ives. 

As well as raping her, he carried out numerous other sexual offences against her.

The girl disclosed what had happened in February 2023 after she had a class at school with the topics of consent and appropriate sexual behaviour.

Jepson was arrested as soon as the allegations came to light but denied the charges and blamed the victim for instigating the sexual contact.

However, on Wednesday (13 May), at Cambridge Crown Court, Jepson, of Woodford, near Kettering, was jailed after a jury found him unanimously guilty of rape, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13 and six counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching. 

He was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and handed indefinite sexual harm prevention and restraining orders.

DC Leah Meftah, who investigated, said:

“Jepson was a manipulative abuser who committed serious sexual offences over many years.

“He apportioned the blame of these offences on a vulnerable child, and took no responsibility for his actions, describing the victim as manipulative and instigating the offences.

“The victim showed the upmost courage in disclosing her offences, and showed immense bravery throughout the judicial process. The impact of these types of cases on all of the families involved is far reaching but this was a successful prosecution due to the strength of the victim and her family.

"Anyone who experiences sexual abuse can take the next step in reporting it to us - we have special trained officers to deal with your allegation."