DAVE STALFORD FROM BEDFORD AND HOLLESLEY SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE AND SORDID RITUALS

In a chilling case that has shocked the communities of Bedford, Hollesley, Great Whelnetham, and Honington, David and Bette Stalford faced justice for a series of heinous crimes committed over a span of many years. The couple, residing at Oak Hill in Hollesley, were convicted of subjecting young girls to disturbing sexual abuse intertwined with quasi-satanic rituals, revealing a dark and twisted world of paganistic practices.

It was revealed during the trial that the abuse had taken place approximately 30 years ago, with the victims now adults, some of whom are mothers themselves. The court heard that the abuse began when the girls were as young as five or six years old and continued over a period of fifteen years. The victims were manipulated into participating in ritualistic acts, which included being made to strip naked in candlelit rooms, bathed to 'cleanse' themselves, and dressed only in white robes in the dead of night before the supposed rituals commenced.

Prosecutors detailed how David Stalford, aged 56 at the time of sentencing, engaged in sexual acts with two of the three young girls. The court described the acts as indecent and assaultive, with the victims unaware that their peers were also being victimized. Bette Stalford, aged 55, played a sinister role by convincing one of the girls that she was part of a witch’s coven, claiming that her involvement was necessary for pagan rituals that required virgins. She also told the girls they could trust her husband, despite his involvement in these horrific acts.

The court proceedings uncovered that David Stalford had also abused two of the girls when they were just five or six years old, indicating a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned many years. The couple’s criminal activities extended beyond Hollesley, with previous residences in Great Whelnetham and Honington also linked to their history of abuse.

Following a month-long trial, the jury found David Stalford guilty of three counts of indecency and two counts of indecent assault involving a child. He was also convicted alongside his wife of six offences of indecency with a child. The sentencing hearing saw David emerge from the cells dressed in a faded blue denim jacket and jeans, initially appearing subdued. However, as the sentence was announced, a grin spread across his pale face, betraying a disturbing lack of remorse.

Bette Stalford, who appeared more disheveled than in previous court appearances, wore a long grey cardigan over black clothing. Judge Peter Thompson acknowledged the difficult circumstances of her imprisonment, noting that her previous good character had been overshadowed by the severity of her crimes. The judge also highlighted the harsh treatment she had endured in prison, where fellow inmates had subjected her to their own forms of punishment.

The judge emphasized the profound and lasting impact of the abuse on the victims, now women and mothers, stating that their lives had been significantly damaged. He described how the trauma had distorted their adult lives and noted that the victims had been called “liars, fantasists, and collaborators” by Bette Stalford during the trial.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Thompson labeled David Stalford as “an evil man,” condemning his actions and character. He also described Bette Stalford as a “vulnerable individual” who had been subordinate to her husband, actively leading the girls to him and thus making her role in the crimes even more sinister.

Both defendants were ordered to register as sex offenders indefinitely and were prohibited from working with children in any capacity. They have been held on remand since their conviction in mid-July, awaiting sentencing. The case has left a lasting scar on the communities involved, highlighting the depths of depravity that can exist behind closed doors.