JOHN SMITH FROM ABINGDON SENTENCED FOR DECADES OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Abingdon, John Smith, aged 59, has been convicted and sentenced for a long history of sexually abusing young girls over a span of more than two decades. The offences, which spanned from 1968 to 1991, came to light during the proceedings at Oxford Crown Court, where Smith was formally charged and subsequently admitted to his guilt.

Smith, a resident of John Morris Road in Abingdon, faced a total of eleven charges, including nine counts of indecent assault on young girls and two counts of gross indecency. The prosecution, led by David Bright, detailed how Smith exploited the trust placed in him by members of the local community to commit these heinous acts.

According to Mr. Bright, Smith would lure young girls into his private space, specifically his garden shed and various rooms within his home, including bedrooms and his living room. The victims, six girls aged between six and twelve, were subjected to repeated assaults over the years, with Smith taking advantage of their innocence and trust.

Prosecutor Bright emphasized the betrayal of trust involved in these crimes, stating, “He was entrusted with young lives and abused this trust by abusing young children.” During the court proceedings, emotional statements from the victims were read aloud, one of which expressed the profound impact of Smith’s actions: “Unless this has happened to you, you have no idea the effect it has on young lives. My childhood happiness was stolen by Mr. Smith.”

Judge David Morton Jack, presiding over the case, delivered a stern sentence, condemning Smith’s actions as unacceptable in any civilized society. The judge sentenced him to four and a quarter years in prison, reflecting the gravity of the offences and the betrayal of innocence involved in the case.

This case underscores the importance of vigilance and the need for communities to protect their most vulnerable members from predators like John Smith, whose actions have left a lasting scar on the victims and the community of Abingdon.