CLIVE OLIVER FROM SANDIACRE SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL IN EREWASH

In a case that has shocked the local community of Sandiacre, Clive Oliver, a 71-year-old pensioner, was sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing a young girl. The incident, which took place in the Erewash area, has brought to light disturbing details about Oliver's actions and the subsequent legal proceedings.

Oliver, who has been battling cancer, appeared before Nottingham Crown Court to face the charges. The court heard that he had previously served a 32-month sentence in 2017 related to similar allegations. However, he was released halfway through that sentence, only for new allegations to emerge later. The second offence was uncovered after the NSPCC intervened, visiting the victim’s school and speaking out about the abuse, which had been kept secret for some time.

During the hearing, Oliver pleaded guilty to sexual assault, acknowledging his misconduct. Judge Stuart Rafferty QC presided over the case and delivered a stern message to the defendant, emphasizing the gravity of crimes involving children under the age of 13. The judge stated, “Children under the age of 13 are sacrosanct,” underscoring the seriousness with which such offences are regarded.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Rafferty warned Oliver that he might face the ultimate penalty of dying in prison, describing it as a risk that offenders of this nature must accept. The judge expressed no satisfaction in delivering the sentence but emphasized the importance of justice. “It is difficult to contemplate the end of a life facing certain death with a weight of guilt on your shoulders,” he said, adding a hope that Oliver might find some form of resolution before it is too late.

The court also criticized Oliver for attempting to delay the investigation by suggesting that the abuse was accidental, which caused unnecessary suffering to the victim. The judge highlighted the profound impact the abuse had on the girl, noting that she had been made to feel guilty and was deeply affected by the trauma. “The damage is something none of us can calibrate. It may be a lifetime, I hope not,” he remarked, reflecting on the lasting effects such abuse can have on a young person’s life.