Chippenham man jailed for decades-old child sexual offences

A man from Chippenham, Donald Winchcombe, aged 75, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of multiple sexual offences against a young girl during the late 1970s. Over a period of two years, Winchcombe repeatedly assaulted a girl under the age of 13 on several occasions. The victim, who felt able to report the abuse in 2021, prompted a police investigation that led to his conviction. As part of his sentence, Winchcombe will also serve an additional year on extended licence. Det Con Laura Barwood of Central CID stated: “The abuse the victim suffered at the hands of Winchcombe over a lengthy period of time during her childhood will no doubt have had a long lasting impact on her, emotionally and mentally, and I cannot comprehend just how difficult it must have been in reporting the abuse to police. In doing what he did, Winchcombe selfishly robbed the victim of her innocent childhood years. I would like to stress that the victim has been fully supported by specialist officers throughout the process and I would like to thank her for her bravery in coming forward, sharing her ordeal, and helping to bring Winchcombe to justice.”