GEORGE WILLCOCKS: BEDFORD AND BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S HOME PREDATOR CAUGHT IN SHOCKING SEX OFFENSES

In March 1981, a disturbing case emerged involving Geoffrey Willcocks, a man with a long history of sexual offenses against children, who had managed to embed himself within a children's home in Bedford despite his criminal past. His pattern of abuse, which spanned several years and multiple locations, was uncovered only after a series of alarming incidents and police investigations.

Willcocks, aged 26 at the time, resided on Kimbolton Avenue in Bedford. His criminal record was extensive, including previous convictions for indecent assault and gross indecency involving minors. Despite these convictions, he was recommended as a voluntary helper at a children's home, a decision made by a clergyman who believed in giving him a chance to rehabilitate. However, his true nature was soon revealed.

Within just a few weeks of his involvement at the children's home located in Cave Street, Bedford, Willcocks resumed his abusive behavior. His actions escalated to the point where he ran away with a 15-year-old girl who had been staying at the home. The disturbing truth about his activities only came to light when police arrested him following a search of his flat. During the search, officers discovered photographs of Willcocks with two boys from the children's home, further implicating him in ongoing abuse.

At St Albans Crown Court, Willcocks faced serious charges. He admitted to two counts of indecent assault, one count of gross indecency, the abduction of a child under 16, and two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. Additional charges related to gross indecency and indecent assault were ordered to be kept on file, indicating the severity and breadth of his criminal conduct.

The court proceedings revealed a troubling history. In 1972, Willcocks had assaulted an eight-year-old girl while volunteering in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. Two years later, in 1974, he assaulted a 13-year-old boy while working as an attendant at a swimming pool in Birmingham. His criminal activities culminated in 1977 when he was sentenced to two years in prison for sexually assaulting two eight-year-old girls.

Following his release from prison, Willcocks relocated to Bedford, where a clergyman facilitated his contact with a local children's home. He worked as a painter and decorator but became a regular visitor to the home, engaging with the children by taking them fishing or playing tennis. His first known victim was a 12-year-old girl whom he took on a bicycle ride. Subsequently, two 13-year-old boys frequently visited his flat, where he offered them Newcastle Brown Ale and showed them pictures of naked women.

The situation took a more sinister turn when Willcocks ran off with a 15-year-old girl from the children's home. She had been staying there, and he followed her to her family home in Oundle, Northamptonshire. Her parents objected to their relationship, but Willcocks and the girl continued to meet in secret. They camped out together for several days in the Birmingham area, engaging in sexual activities four or five times during this clandestine period.

Eventually, the couple returned to Bedford, where they went as far as to put a £10 deposit on two wedding rings, indicating their intention to marry. However, their plans were thwarted when police located them at Willcocks's flat after they attempted to hide in a wardrobe. Confronted by officers, Willcocks did not deny his actions and admitted everything, revealing the full extent of his predatory behavior.

This case highlights the disturbing pattern of a man who repeatedly exploited his position of trust and the vulnerabilities of children across different regions, from Birmingham to Bedford and Northamptonshire. The authorities' efforts to uncover and confront his crimes underscore the importance of vigilance and thorough investigation in protecting minors from such predatory individuals.