ANDREW CHAMBERS SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN CATFORD AND DEAL

In a case that has spanned over three decades, Andrew Chambers, a 67-year-old former children’s home worker and music teacher from Deal, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for sexually abusing two young boys. The sentencing took place at Black Friars Crown Court on a Monday, following his conviction last month on eight counts of indecent assault. The heinous acts were committed in different locations, including the Hollydale children’s home in Catford and Chambers’ residence in Deal.

Chambers’s first victim, who was only eight years old at the time, was subjected to sexual abuse while he was employed at Hollydale children’s home in Catford, between the years 1978 and 1983. The victim, now aged 42, came forward with his allegations after unexpectedly seeing Chambers at a club in Deal, which prompted him to report the abuse. During the police investigation, a second man, now aged 38, also stepped forward, claiming that he too had been sexually abused by Chambers during music lessons when he was a child.

Authorities revealed that Chambers was a predatory individual who would often take advantage of his position of trust. The first victim recounted that Chambers would secretly remove him from his dormitory during the night while other children were asleep, taking him to a bedroom in the children’s home to carry out the abuse. On some occasions, Chambers would take the boy to his own home, which he shared with his mother, and abuse him there in his bedroom. The police further stated that Chambers had groomed his first victim by shielding him from bullying at the home and frequently offering him money and sweets to maintain his silence and compliance.

The court found Chambers guilty on April 28 of three counts of sexual assault against his first victim and five counts of indecent assault on the second victim. Prosecutor Claire Ward emphasized the gravity of the crimes, stating, “These offences were committed against two victims over 30 years. They represent a gross breach of trust against children.” She added that the victims’ courage in coming forward and providing evidence had been instrumental in bringing Chambers to justice, despite the long passage of time. Ward expressed hope that the sentencing would offer some measure of closure and reassurance to the victims, encouraging others who have suffered similar abuse to come forward, assuring them that law enforcement agencies would take their claims seriously.