Man, 77, jailed for 10 years after being convicted of rape and indecent assault

A man has been jailed for 10 years after he was convicted of rape and indecent assault of a child.

David Thomas, 77, from Aldershot Road, Fleet, was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on Friday 29 April following a week-long trial.

He was convicted of rape and indecent assault of a girl aged under 16. Thomas was found not guilty of another count of indecent assault.

The offences took place in Farnborough between 1984 and 1988. It was reported to police in 2020.

Thomas was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday.

Detective Constable Michelle Carrig, from Operation Amberstone North, said: “I hope this sentence has provided the victim with some element of closure, knowing that Thomas has been sentenced for a very long time.

“Thomas committed harrowing crimes against the victim and I would like to praise her for showing courage by coming forward and contacting the police.

“We take incidents like this extremely seriously and I would like to encourage any other victims, or anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, or if they know someone who has been impacted by sexual abuse, to contact police on 101.”

As a survivor of sexual abuse, you are entitled to support whether you report the crime or not.

You can access different types of support depending on how you are feeling and what you decide to do next.

You can visit https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/support-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault/ to see the support on offer.