ALAN BATES OF HIGH WYCOMBE ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE CHILD ATTACK IN WOODS

In October 2003, a disturbing case involving a convicted paedophile has sparked outrage among the victim's family and the local community in High Wycombe. Alan Bates, aged 64 and residing on Mill End Road in Sands, was involved in an incident where he lured a ten-year-old girl into woodland under the false pretense of observing wildlife. Once there, Bates committed an indecent assault on the young girl, an act that has left her parents devastated and seeking justice.

During the proceedings at Aylesbury Crown Court, Bates admitted to the charges of indecent assault. However, the court's decision to impose a relatively lenient sentence has caused significant distress among the victim's family. Judge Christopher Tyrer, presiding over the case, opted to give Bates a three-year conditional discharge rather than a custodial sentence. The judge explained that his decision was influenced by Bates's advanced age and his previously unblemished character, which he considered relevant mitigating factors.

Judge Tyrer expressed his concerns about Bates's behavior and the report he reviewed, stating, "You touched this girl in a wholly inappropriate way accompanied by wholly inappropriate remarks. There are disquieting aspects in the report I have read. In your conversations with the report's authors, you were moving away from an acceptance of what you did. That concerns me, and it also concerns me there is no suitable treatment programme." The judge further noted that Bates was deemed unsuitable for the Thames Valley Project for sex offenders, citing the absence of appropriate rehabilitation initiatives in the area. Despite the gravity of the offense, the judge concluded that personal circumstances justified not sending Bates to prison.

The court was informed that Bates had initially denied any improper contact with the girl but later admitted to the assault. His lawyer argued that the actions were not premeditated. The assault came to light when the girl confided in her parents, prompting police involvement. In addition to the conditional discharge, Bates was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years and pay £500 in compensation to the victim.

The victim's parents, who have chosen to remain anonymous to protect their child's identity, expressed their profound disappointment and anger at the court's decision. Speaking to the Free Press, the mother said, "With this sentence, it’s as if nothing ever happened. My husband and I are so angry — we have been let down by the justice system." Her husband added, "Obviously Bates has a problem, but there was nothing to help him. He should have gone to prison. He didn’t accept what he did was wrong. He should have been made to get on some programme, but there doesn’t seem to be any around here, and that’s unacceptable."

The mother further revealed the emotional toll the incident has taken on their family, stating, "We have been through hell. Our daughter is alright now; she’s coped admirably. She’s a very well-balanced child. I haven’t even told some members of my family what this man did to her because if they knew the full truth, they’d want to kill him." She emphasized the importance of public awareness, saying, "We want people to know that this man is still out there. We want other parents to be aware of what he has done, and we don’t want this to happen again to another little girl."

Expressing gratitude for the support received, she concluded, "The family want to thank the police and child protection unit for all their help. They have been fantastic, and we wouldn’t have been able to get through this without them."