JOHN COLCLOUGH SENTENCED IN ASHBOURNE AND PAIGNTON FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE OFFENCES

In December 2017, a man named John Colclough was handed down an 11-year prison sentence after being convicted of multiple sexual offences committed against young girls over a span of nearly three decades. The disturbing case revealed a pattern of abuse that began in the late 1980s and extended into the 1990s, involving victims from the Ashbourne area and later from Paignton.

It was established that Colclough, aged 72 at the time of sentencing, started his abusive conduct in 1988 when he indecently assaulted a girl who was only seven years old. This abuse took place at an address in Ashbourne and persisted over several years, finally ceasing around 1994 when the victim was approximately 13 years old. The trauma inflicted during these formative years left a lasting impact on the victim, who later came forward to authorities to seek justice.

During the 1990s, Colclough’s predatory behavior continued as he targeted another girl, this time when she was in her teenage years. Similar to the previous victim, these offences also occurred at an address in Ashbourne. The second victim’s courage in coming forward was instrumental in bringing Colclough to justice.

It was not until 2015 that one of the victims decided to report the abuse to the police. Following a comprehensive investigation conducted by a dedicated team specializing in sexual abuse cases, authorities arrested Colclough. At the time of his arrest, he was residing at St Michael’s Court in Paignton, Devon.

Colclough faced multiple charges, including six counts of indecent assault on a female and two counts of gross indecency with a girl under the age of 16. Despite his vehement denial of all charges, a jury at Derby Crown Court found him guilty on all counts. In October, he was sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison, with the court also ordering him to sign the sex offenders register for life.

During the sentencing hearing, His Honour Judge Robert Egbuna emphasized the profound harm caused by Colclough’s actions, stating that he had stolen his victims’ innocence and robbed them of their childhoods. The judge also commended the victims for their bravery in coming forward and providing evidence that led to Colclough’s conviction.

Detective Constable Claire Lee, who led the investigation, expressed her support for the victims, highlighting the lengthy duration of the abuse and the courage it took for them to speak out. She remarked, “John Colclough’s abuse lasted for several years, beginning when his first victim was just seven and at a time when he would have been in his forties. Not only did he commit these terrible acts against two young girls, but he then forced them to relive their ordeals as adults in court many years later.”

DC Lee further praised the victims’ resilience, stating, “His jailing is a testament to their bravery in the face of the man who abused them. I would like to commend them firstly for coming forward and telling police about what he had done, and then for giving evidence that helped convict Colclough. I hope his substantial jail term brings some sense of closure to his victims, and that they are able to move on with their lives knowing that he is behind bars.”

Colclough’s sentence includes a custodial period of ten years, followed by an extended one-year license period. Additionally, the court imposed a sexual harm prevention order, which serves as a safeguard against any future breaches of the court’s restrictions. The case underscores the importance of perseverance and courage in seeking justice for victims of sexual abuse, regardless of how many years have passed since the offences occurred.