Coventry man jailed for raping child during 7-year campaign of abuse in the 1960s
Police say 75-year-old John Erskine repeatedly minimised and lied about what he did during interviews
A Coventry man has been jailed for raping a young girl during a seven-year campaign of abuse in the 1960s.
John Erskine, 75, was sentenced to seven years in prison at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday (24th April) after being found guilty of seven counts of rape against a female child under the age of 13.
The court heard how the victim was subjected to a seven-year campaign of sexual abuse and violence during the 1960s when she was a child.
In the 1980s, as an adult, she reported the abuse to police in another area.
Warwickshire Police said at that time, Erskine was questioned for several hours, but due to laws at the time, he was let go on the basis the offences had not happened recently enough to prosecute.
However, after the victim heard of another case impacting someone she knew she decided to report the abuse again.
After an investigation by Warwickshire Police 75-year-old John Erskine of Coventry, was interviewed on suspicion of raping a female child under the age of 13.
Police say during the interview Erskine switched between minimising what he did, lying about his offending or making excuses.
He was later charged with seven counts of raping a female child under the age of 13.
Detective Sergeant Dugmore, who led the investigation, said: “I want to commend the victim for her courage in coming forward. She demonstrated unwavering strength throughout.
“The justice system failed her in the 1980s and we know it will have taken yet more bravery to make that report again, all these years later.
“Nothing will take away the pain that Erskine caused. But she is an extraordinary woman and I hope this sentence goes some way to bringing her the peace she deserves.
“She has asked me to express her hope that others who have survived abuse see this story and feel able to come forward and let us help them to get justice.”