KENNETH CHANDLER'S HORRIFIC CHILD RAPE CASE IN STOCKTON REVEALED

In a case that has shocked the community of Stockton, Kenneth Chandler, a 72-year-old man with a disturbing history of child abuse, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his heinous crimes committed over two decades ago.

Chandler, a former soldier who served for 20 years in a Cavalry regiment, was found guilty of repeatedly raping a young girl between 1980 and 1986. The victim, who was a schoolgirl at the time, endured unimaginable suffering, including becoming pregnant twice, suffering miscarriages, and attempting to take her own life. Her trauma was so severe that she was referred to a child psychiatrist, and her initial report to Social Services in the early 1980s resulted in a decision not to involve law enforcement, allowing the abuse to continue for an additional three years.

Prosecutor Matthew Bean detailed the extent of her suffering, stating that the rapes persisted until the victim, now an adult, finally decided to report the abuse to the police in August of the previous year. It was only then that Chandler was brought to justice. When charged on May 1, Chandler admitted to some of the allegations but disputed certain dates, claiming that not all events occurred as reported.

Chandler, who resides on Mellor Street in Stockton, pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court to six counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault. As part of his sentencing, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life. The court heard that Chandler’s actions had a devastating impact on the victim, who was present in the courtroom with her husband to witness the proceedings.

Judge Peter Fox, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, delivered a stern judgment, describing the crimes as some of the worst he had encountered in his 20 years of sentencing such cases. He emphasized the profound and lasting trauma inflicted upon the victim, noting her pregnancies, miscarriages, and the emotional scars that remain. The judge acknowledged Chandler’s age but pointed out that he was in good health and fit enough to serve a significant prison term, which he deemed appropriate given the severity of the offenses.

Chandler appeared to react with disbelief as the sentence was announced, while the victim and her husband watched from the public gallery. Detective Constable Fran Donovan expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “I’m really pleased with this result. I hope that this gives confidence to other victims of similar crimes, to come forward, knowing that we will actively pursue those who prey on children and young people and abuse them in the worst way imaginable. We, in partnership with the Crown Prosecution Service, will continue to look to bring these offenders to justice, no matter how long ago the offences took place.”