Worcestershire child sex offender put behind bars
Gary Oakes abused his victim for a three-year period.
Last updated 17th Sep 2024
A 69-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 years for sexually assaulting a girl under 13 and breaching a sexual harm prevention order.
Gary Oakes, of Trimpley Lane in Bewdley, was handed the sentence at Worcester Crown Court on Friday 13 September 2024.
The sentence follows a trial where he was found guilty of the following offences:
8 x counts of sexual assault of a female child under 13
2 x counts of causing/inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity – no penetration
1 x breach of a sexual harm prevention order
Oakes abused his victim over a three-year period from August 2015 to August 2018.
Detective Sergeant Phil Wood, who worked on the investigation, said: “Oakes subjected his young victim to a sustained campaign of abuse which caused her immense and long-lasting trauma and distress. I’m pleased that he has been handed a significant custodial sentence, meaning he’s unable to cause harm to other young people.
“I can’t begin to imagine what the victim has been through and I commend her courage in coming forward to report Oakes’ abuse. I don’t doubt the strength this took, and the resilience she has shown during the trial has been immeasurable.
“I hope this case demonstrates that we take all reports of sexual assault incredibly seriously and won’t hesitate to investigate and bring offenders to justice.”