KEVIN BLACKWELL FROM BIBURY AND NORTHLEACH SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS FOR ABUSE
| Red Rose Database
Northleach Bibury Rapist
In a case that has shocked the communities of Bibury and Northleach, Kevin Blackwell, a 52-year-old man, was sentenced to a total of sixteen years in prison at Gloucester Crown Court for a series of heinous sexual offenses involving two young girls. The crimes spanned over a decade, beginning in the late 1990s and continuing until 2004, during which Blackwell repeatedly assaulted and sexually abused the victims while they were children.
Both girls, who were residents of Bibury at the time of the abuse, endured Blackwell’s predatory behavior over many years. The court heard that Blackwell had denied all 12 charges brought against him, which included multiple counts of rape and sexual assault. However, after a jury deliberation, he was found guilty of nine of these charges on the Monday of the trial. The victims, now women aged 27 and 30, testified that Blackwell’s actions had a profound and lasting impact on their lives.
Blackwell’s defense claimed that the allegations were fabricated, asserting that his victims had made up the stories. Yet, he was unable to provide any plausible explanation as to why they would falsely accuse him. The presiding judge, Recorder Sarah Vaughan-Jones QC, delivered her sentence, which included 12 years for the four counts of rape and one count of indecency involving the younger girl. An additional four years were added consecutively for the four counts of sexual assault against the older girl.
In her sentencing remarks, Recorder Vaughan-Jones emphasized the severe effect the abuse had on the victims. She stated that the impact on the rape victim had been 'very significant,' noting that she only realized as an adult that her experiences were abnormal. The judge also ordered Blackwell to sign the sex offender register for life and imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. This order restricts him from having contact with children under 18 unless it is incidental or with parental or guardian approval.
During the sentencing, the judge highlighted the long-lasting trauma inflicted upon the victims. She remarked that the rape victim had suffered from anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and panic attacks as a direct result of Blackwell’s actions. The victim, who now has a daughter of her own, expressed fears about trusting others with her child and revealed that she had experienced suicidal thoughts during her teenage years. The older victim also shared her struggles, explaining that she turned to alcohol and drugs to cope with her memories, which led her to a difficult adolescence. She continues to grapple with feelings of self-respect and self-worth.
The court was told that the abuse began when the girls were approximately five years old and still in primary school. Prosecutor Kannan Siva described how the older girl initially sensed that something was wrong but hesitated to tell her mother out of fear of causing upset. It was only in 2016, after she had become a mother herself, that she finally disclosed the abuse to the police. Her revelations prompted the other girl to come forward as well. She had previously confided in a therapist in 2014 and later in her boyfriend about the incidents.
Following the conviction, prosecutor Michael Hall emphasized that Blackwell was considered a man of good character prior to these allegations. The case has left a lasting scar on the victims and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children from such predatory behavior.
Both girls, who were residents of Bibury at the time of the abuse, endured Blackwell’s predatory behavior over many years. The court heard that Blackwell had denied all 12 charges brought against him, which included multiple counts of rape and sexual assault. However, after a jury deliberation, he was found guilty of nine of these charges on the Monday of the trial. The victims, now women aged 27 and 30, testified that Blackwell’s actions had a profound and lasting impact on their lives.
Blackwell’s defense claimed that the allegations were fabricated, asserting that his victims had made up the stories. Yet, he was unable to provide any plausible explanation as to why they would falsely accuse him. The presiding judge, Recorder Sarah Vaughan-Jones QC, delivered her sentence, which included 12 years for the four counts of rape and one count of indecency involving the younger girl. An additional four years were added consecutively for the four counts of sexual assault against the older girl.
In her sentencing remarks, Recorder Vaughan-Jones emphasized the severe effect the abuse had on the victims. She stated that the impact on the rape victim had been 'very significant,' noting that she only realized as an adult that her experiences were abnormal. The judge also ordered Blackwell to sign the sex offender register for life and imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. This order restricts him from having contact with children under 18 unless it is incidental or with parental or guardian approval.
During the sentencing, the judge highlighted the long-lasting trauma inflicted upon the victims. She remarked that the rape victim had suffered from anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and panic attacks as a direct result of Blackwell’s actions. The victim, who now has a daughter of her own, expressed fears about trusting others with her child and revealed that she had experienced suicidal thoughts during her teenage years. The older victim also shared her struggles, explaining that she turned to alcohol and drugs to cope with her memories, which led her to a difficult adolescence. She continues to grapple with feelings of self-respect and self-worth.
The court was told that the abuse began when the girls were approximately five years old and still in primary school. Prosecutor Kannan Siva described how the older girl initially sensed that something was wrong but hesitated to tell her mother out of fear of causing upset. It was only in 2016, after she had become a mother herself, that she finally disclosed the abuse to the police. Her revelations prompted the other girl to come forward as well. She had previously confided in a therapist in 2014 and later in her boyfriend about the incidents.
Following the conviction, prosecutor Michael Hall emphasized that Blackwell was considered a man of good character prior to these allegations. The case has left a lasting scar on the victims and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children from such predatory behavior.