JOHN HARTLEY FROM RUGBY SENTENCED FOR DECADES-OLD ABUSE CASES IN COVENTRY

In a case that has spanned over two decades, John Hartley, a retired coach driver from Rugby, has been sentenced to five years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The crimes, which involved multiple young girls, have finally come to light after years of silence and fear among the victims.

Hartley, aged 61 at the time of sentencing, faced Coventry Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to charges including rape, indecency with a child, and five counts of indecent assault. The court was told that his offenses took place between 1969 and 1974, with the most severe incident occurring between 1975 and 1978. The victims, now adults, had initially been too frightened to report the abuse, fearing disbelief or retribution from adults in their lives.

Prosecutor John Brotherton detailed the disturbing nature of the crimes, revealing that several of the young girls were coerced into performing indecent acts. One victim recounted an incident where she was playing a game of hide and seek at Hartley's residence in Rugby when the abuse occurred. The most serious offense involved Hartley raping a young girl, an act that left a lasting impact on her life. She explained that she did not come forward at the time because she believed her claims would not be taken seriously.

The investigation into Hartley's activities was initiated when police were looking into other allegations against him. During questioning, Hartley initially denied the accusations but eventually admitted that his victims' accounts were truthful. He also acknowledged that he had