DOUGLAS ATKINS SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN DOVER FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES

In a case that has shocked the community of Dover, a 63-year-old man named Douglas Atkins has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 15 years for committing serious sexual offences. The proceedings took an unusual turn when Atkins, who was scheduled to hear his sentence in Canterbury Crown Court, collapsed in the courtroom due to an epileptic fit. As a result, he was carried out of the courtroom to an area below the court building before the judge could complete her sentencing remarks.

Atkins faced multiple charges, including rape, indecency with a child, and indecent assault. The judge, Adele Williams, described the victims as individuals who had suffered profound psychological harm as a result of his actions. The gravity of the offences was underscored by the evidence presented during the trial, which left little doubt about Atkins’s guilt. Despite his health issues, including being a wheelchair user, Atkins denied all 23 allegations brought against him, which spanned a range of serious sexual misconduct.

The case came to light after one of the victims reported the abuse to the police, prompting a thorough investigation. During the trial, Atkins maintained his innocence, but the evidence against him was compelling and convincing. Judge Williams emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating, “Worse than the physical damage was the psychological damage and, having heard them in evidence, in my judgement, in different ways, each is a damaged personality.”

In addition to Atkins’s sentence, his 38-year-old son, Henry Atkins, was also convicted and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Henry was found guilty of perverting the course of justice after writing a letter that falsely claimed the allegations against his father were untrue. The letter was purportedly from one of the victims, attempting to discredit the accusations. Both men resided on Beaufoy Road in Dover.

During the hearing, Atkins’s legal representative, Peter Gower QC, highlighted his client’s poor health as a mitigating factor. Meanwhile, Henry Atkins’s lawyer, Peter Forbes, explained that his client’s actions were a misguided attempt to help his father, though this ultimately led to a falling out between the two, especially since Henry did not testify during the trial.

As part of his sentence, Douglas Atkins will be registered on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes. At the conclusion of the proceedings, Judge Williams commended the police officers involved in the investigation, praising their wide-ranging and thorough efforts in uncovering the truth and ensuring justice was served.