STOURBRIDGE MAN AND WOMAN HAZEL WITHERS AND BERNARD HILL SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE
In a case that has shocked the community of Stourbridge and the surrounding areas, a man and woman have been convicted and sentenced for a prolonged and disturbing campaign of sexual abuse against a young girl.The offences, which spanned over five years, began when the victim was only eight years old and continued until she was approximately thirteen, marking a period of systematic exploitation and cruelty.
In May 2006, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard the harrowing details of the abuse, which was carried out by Hazel Withers, aged 77, and Bernard Hill, aged 58.
The court was told that the abuse started in 1971 and persisted until 1976, during which time the victim endured repeated assaults.
Prosecutor Simon Davis described the abuse as
