WATFORD PAEDOPHILE DONALD MEAD SENTENCED TO AT LEAST 15 YEARS IN PRISON

In September 2011, Donald Mead, a 66-year-old man from Watford, was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in prison for his horrific abuse of two young schoolgirls. He was convicted at Croydon Crown Court after pleading not guilty to 13 counts, including anal rape, attempted anal rape, indecent assault, gross indecency, and the forced taking of indecent images. Mead's crimes involved grooming the girls—by giving them alcohol—and repeatedly abusing them over several years, with one girl being assaulted for two months when she was just 13.

The court was told that Mead's misconduct started with what appeared to be an innocent friendship, which eventually escalated to acts of oral sex and rape. Additionally, he took indecent photographs of one girl and collected pictures of girls in school uniforms.

Following the conviction, Judge Shani Barnes described the offenses as “systematic, cynical sexual abuse” and emphasized the profound impact on the victims. She stated, “The effect on these two women has been devastating and the victim who was abused for two months has contemplated suicide this year.” The judge also remarked on the harrowing evidence presented during the trial, including a particularly distressing police interview where the rape victim described the experience, calling it “the most harrowing video evidence” she had ever witnessed.

The court heard that the victims were left “depressed and suicidal,” with one girl having slashed her wrists. After Mead's conviction, one victim expressed relief, telling police, “I feel that I can breathe again, that a weight has been taken off my shoulders and I do not feel scared anymore.”

Judge Barnes ordered Mead to serve an indeterminate sentence for public protection, with a mandatory minimum term of 15 years and an extended five-year license period. She also mandated that Mead sign the sex offenders’ register for life. In her sentencing remarks, the judge condemned Mead’s actions, calling them “horrendous,” and pointed out that his next victim was “a good-natured, compliant girl, the perfect girl for you to groom, dominate and abuse.”