FRANK SIMMONS OF TEWKESBURY SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE CASES

In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the community of Tewkesbury, Frank Simmons, aged 54, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against three young children. The abuse, which spanned over a decade, involved systematic and predatory acts that left lasting scars on the victims.

Frank Simmons, a resident of Hawthorn, Northway in Tewkesbury, was convicted earlier this year at Gloucester Crown Court on multiple counts, including 11 charges of indecency, five counts of indecent assault, and two charges of buggery. During the trial, he was acquitted of one additional serious sex assault charge. The court heard that Simmons began abusing the girl and two boys when he was just 14 years old, continuing this pattern of abuse for more than ten years.

Prosecutors revealed that Simmons employed threats and intimidation to maintain control over his victims. One of the most chilling details was that he threatened to suffocate the children with a pillow if they resisted his advances. Additionally, Simmons paid one of the victims just 50p to keep quiet about the abuse, highlighting the manipulative tactics he used to silence his victims.

During the sentencing hearing, tears were shed in the public gallery as Judge William Hart delivered a stern and condemning verdict. The judge emphasized the predatory nature of Simmons' actions, describing them as sequential and an egregious breach of trust. He stated, “It was over a very long period and it had the gravest effect on them (the victims). It was persistent. It was painful and humiliating and never forgotten. You issued threats, you used bribery, and what you did to these three children has had an inconceivable effect on their lives.”

Judge Hart also noted that Simmons' conduct was not only long-lasting but also deeply damaging, leaving scars that would likely remain for a lifetime. The court acknowledged the severity of the crimes and the profound impact on the victims' lives.

In his defense, Angus Robertson, representing Simmons, argued that the defendant was a young person when the offenses began and that his actions were influenced by his own physical and psychological immaturity. Robertson pointed out that Simmons did not start the abuse as an adult but between the ages of 14 and 16. He emphasized that Simmons had since turned his life around, losing his job, home, and wife as a consequence of these allegations.

Robertson highlighted that Simmons had been employed at a machinery company since he was 18 and was regarded as a valuable and helpful member of society. He noted that Simmons had recently left his employment and that character references described him as “the perfect gentleman, helping where and when he can.”

However, the court was told that during the attacks, Simmons forced the children to perform sexual acts on him and each other. One of the victims had previously spoken about the abuse, but their concerns had been dismissed as ludicrous at the time. Simmons will also be required to sign the sex offenders register, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

Earlier in August 2013, Simmons was convicted of similar offenses, with evidence revealing that he had threatened to suffocate a girl and two boys with a pillow if they did not comply with his demands. The offenses from that period, which took place between 1975 and 1985, involved children aged eight or nine. Simmons denied 11 charges of indecency, five of indecent assault, and three of more serious sexual assaults. Nevertheless, he was found guilty on 18 counts and acquitted of one of the most serious charges.

Judge William Hart, addressing Simmons directly, warned that he would face a substantial prison sentence and that the long-term nature of the crimes would be reflected in his punishment. The judge also acknowledged the difficulty in trying such historic cases, noting that Simmons was almost certainly a different person now than when the offenses occurred many years ago. The case underscores the importance of justice for victims of child abuse, regardless of the passage of time, and highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and support for survivors.