DONCASTER EX-SERVICEMAN DAVID ROYLE SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN KINGSLY CHILDREN'S HOME
In a case that has shocked the community of Doncaster and the surrounding areas, David Royle, a former serviceman with ties to Doncaster, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for the sexual abuse of minors during the 1970s at a children’s home in Kingsley.Royle, aged 60 and residing at Bracken Court, Harworth, Doncaster, served in both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, but his military background did not prevent him from committing heinous crimes against vulnerable children.
Royle faced a total of 18 charges, including allegations of rape against one of the girls, which he denied.
The victims, who are now adults, testified during a trial held at Chester Crown Court in August of this year.
The jury found Royle guilty on all counts except for the charge of rape, which they could not unanimously agree upon.
The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse that spanned over two years, with Royle allegedly sneaking into the victims’ bedrooms after lights-out to carry out his acts of sexual violence.
The three victims, whose identities are protected for legal reasons, ranged in age from nine to 14 at the time of the offences.
Royle was between 14 and 16 years old during the period of abuse.
Two women victims recounted how Royle would climb into their beds late at night or early morning to molest them, with incidents occurring three to four times weekly.
The male victim described how Royle would enter his bed during late hours or early mornings to carry out similar acts of molestation.
During the trial, additional allegations emerged that abuse was not limited to Royle alone.
The victims revealed that physical, sexual, and psychological abuse by older children and staff members was widespread within the Kingsley children’s home.
The victims admitted that they did not speak out at the time due to fear of repercussions from staff members and the organization overseeing the home, the National Children’s Home (NCH).
The court heard that the victims were too frightened to report the abuse, fearing disbelief or punishment if they did so.
Judge Roger Dutton, presiding over the case, expressed his approval of the jury’s verdict, stating that Royle’s conviction was “quite rightly on the strength of the evidence.” The judge also commended the bravery of the victims for coming forward and sharing their painful experiences, especially given the long passage of time—over four decades—since the abuse occurred.
He acknowledged the profound psychological impact the abuse has had on each of the victims, emphasizing that their lives have been significantly affected by Royle’s actions.
One of the victims, now an adult, delivered her victim impact statement via video-link.
She described feeling “dirty, repulsive and ashamed” and shared that she experiences frequent flashbacks of the abuse.
She expressed her regret that as a child, she was forced to keep such a terrible secret, which she now recognizes should never have been her burden to bear.
The case has brought to light the dark history of abuse at the Kingsley children’s home and the failure of the system to protect vulnerable children from predators like Royle.
