Man jailed for historic child sexual offences

A man has been jailed for non-recent sexual offences committed against two children.

Alan Batchelor, 73, of Vale Road, Kingskerwell was sentenced to 26 years in prison at Exeter Crown Court on Tuesday.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He pleaded not guilty to 12 other offences but was convicted by a jury on all counts.

The offences took place between 2004 and 2017.

Devon and Cornwall Police said a woman contacted the force in March 2022 to make a formal complaint and an investigation was launched immediately.

Batchelor admitted some of the abuse, but denied other allegations against him saying they were fabricated.

The jury convicted Batchelor of the 14 counts put to him, including rape of a child under 13, attempted rape, sexual assault of a child under 13, causing a child to watch a sexual act, voyeurism and causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Det Con Garry Harding said he "welcomed the sentence" given to Batchelor.

He said: "He has shown himself to be an evil sexual predator who targeted young girls in the pursuit of sexual gratification, showing no consideration whatsoever for the effect of his actions on his victims.

"The victims in this case have shown immense bravery to disclose what happened to them and without them Batchelor would have been able to continue with his day-to-day life."

"This case shows that it is never too late to report sexual abuse and that victims will be believed," he added.

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