BERTRAM JACOB OF DONCASTER SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS FOR DECADES-OLD SEXUAL ABUSE

In a case that has shocked the community of Doncaster, a 91-year-old man named Bertram Jacob has been sentenced to two years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against a young girl. The proceedings took place at Sheffield Crown Court, where Jacob was brought in wheelchair-bound, flanked by three prison guards, highlighting his frail health and advanced age.

Prosecutor Alison Dorrell detailed the disturbing history of the abuse, revealing that Jacob’s crimes spanned over a decade, beginning in the 1970s. The victim, now a married woman with two children, was just five years old when Jacob first began to indecently assault her. The abuse continued until she reached the age of 13, leaving her with lifelong emotional scars.

Judge Peter Kelson, presiding over the case, sentenced Jacob to two years, emphasizing the severity and prolonged nature of the offenses. He stated, “For a 10-year period on many occasions you satisfied your own perverted sexual lusts. She has suffered the effects ever since. She is an ongoing victim.” The court was informed that Jacob’s health was in decline, having suffered pneumonia 18 months prior, which led to his placement in a nursing home. Currently, he is cared for by visiting carers four times daily.

During the trial, Miss Dorrell recounted the victim’s trauma, noting that she was only five when the abuse began, involving indecent acts and sexual assault. The victim’s statement, read aloud in court, revealed her long-standing fear and silence. She explained that she did not report the abuse earlier out of fear of disbelief and blame, which compounded her suffering. “I carried this secret for a long time,” she said.

The victim described how her innocence was shattered, and how her fear of her abuser’s house and her mother’s perceived blame prevented her from seeking help at the time. As she grew older, feelings of shame and dirtiness hindered her ability to form relationships with men. It was only after meeting her long-term partner and having children that she found the courage to confide in someone. Her emotional pain culminated in a breakdown when her own daughter turned seven in 2006, prompting her to seek ongoing counseling, which continues to this day.

Jacob, a resident of Rose Grove, Armthorpe, Doncaster, was supported in court by two relatives. He pleaded guilty to nine counts of indecent assault and nine counts of gross indecency. His defense attorney, Edward Moss, argued that the offenses warranted custody but highlighted Jacob’s age, poor health, and limited threat to society. Mr. Moss noted that Jacob’s general practitioner had expressed concerns about the impact of imprisonment on his health and that Jacob had shown remorse, expressing shame and regret, partly through a letter he had written.

The prosecution and defense agreed that the gravity of the crimes was significant, but the court acknowledged Jacob’s physical frailty and the impact of his actions on the victim. Judge Kelson emphasized the profound suffering inflicted, stating, “The victim was entirely at your mercy for this period of time. It was a prolonged, sustained set of assaults. It was degradation and humiliation although in her innocence she didn’t realize what was going on. There was a significant degree of planning and organization.”

In delivering the sentence, the judge underscored the importance of justice for the victim, recognizing the lasting damage caused by Jacob’s actions and the need for ongoing support and counseling for her. The case serves as a stark reminder of the enduring effects of childhood abuse and the importance of holding offenders accountable, regardless of their age or health.