November 2012 Portsmouth pensioner jailed for sex abuse of girl A PENSIONER has been jailed for 10 years for a string of sexual offences he committed more than three decades ago. Leo Compton has finally been convicted for abusing a girl after she broke her silence. Following his sentencing, the officer who led in the inquiry Detective Constable Ian Borsley urged victims of sexual offences to come forward, no matter how long ago they took place. Det Con Borsley, from the vulnerable adult investigation team, said: ‘The securing of Compton’s conviction reflects the mission of Hampshire Constabulary’s public protection department, being that of protecting the most vulnerable from the most dangerous. ‘We encourage all victims of sexual abuse to come forward, irrespective of the time that has passed, where a dedicated team of professionals will treat any information provided in a sensitive and serious manner. ‘Ensuring the welfare of those affected remains of paramount importance.’ Compton, of King Charles Street, Old Portsmouth, abused the girl, who was under 16, between 1969 and 1976. He was arrested last year after his victim, who is now in her 50s, went to the police. The 78-year-old denied the allegations, meaning the woman was forced to go through the trauma of giving evidence in court. But he was found guilty by a jury after a six-day trial at Portsmouth Crown Court. The jury took just over two-and-a-half hours to reach their verdicts. He was found guilty of two counts of rape, two of indecent assault and two of gross indecency with a child. Maria Lamb, defending, told the judge Compton had been a carer for his wife for the past 20 years. Compton was sentenced after Judge Sarah Munro QC took the unusual step of giving him time on bail to organise care for his wife ‘as an act of mercy’. He will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for the rest of his life. Victims of abuse, no matter how long ago it occurred, can contact the Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling Service on (023) 9266 9513. October 2012 Portsmouth pensioner warned he faces jail for child abuse A PENSIONER has been warned he faces a lengthy jail sentence after he was found guilty of a string of sexual offences. Leo Compton has finally been convicted after he abused a young girl more than 35 years ago. But the 78-year-old has been given time on bail to arrange care for his wife before he is sentenced in what a judge at Portsmouth Crown Court described as ‘an act of mercy’. Compton, of King Charles Street, Old Portsmouth, abused the girl, who was under 16, between 1969 and 1976. He was arrested last year after his victim went to the police. Compton denied the allegations but he was found guilty by a jury after a six-day trial. The jury took just over two-and-a-half hours to reach their verdicts. He was found guilty of two counts of rape, two of indecent assault and two of gross indecency with a child. Maria Lamb, defending, asked the judge to adjourn sentencing so he could arrange care for his wife. ‘This is not a situation where this lady, who is vulnerable, can manage on her own,’ she said. The court heard Mrs Compton suffers from dementia and her husband has been her carer for 20 years. The defendant’s son, Robert, who lives in the Midlands, appeared in court to ask the judge to adjourn sentencing. ‘She is very dependant on my father,’ he said. ‘My concern is there’s no-one in the house if she has a fall. My personal preference would be that he is allowed a couple of weeks so that he can talk to social services and sort something out.’ Judge Sarah Munro QC agreed to bail Compton until November 9. She said: ‘It’s an unusual situation. This is not a case where people are trying to bury their heads, it really is a case where practical solutions need to be arrived at.’ She told Compton: ‘Out of an act of mercy to your wife I’m going to adjourn sentence. ‘Please understand you can expect nothing less than a lengthy custodial sentence when we meet again.’