LESLEY DRIVER FROM MILTON KEYNES SENTENCED FOR DECADES-OLD SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN EGHAM
In a case that has spanned decades and finally reached justice, Leslie Driver, a man originally from Milton Keynes, has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison for the heinous sexual assaults committed against two young girls during the early 1960s.The disturbing incidents took place at a property in Egham, where Driver was residing as a lodger at the time of the abuse.
Leslie Driver, aged 76, was identified as the perpetrator of these “horrendous attacks” by Kingston Crown Court.
The court heard that Driver, who at the time was a teacher and had a history of engaging in charity work abroad, used his position and trust to commit multiple acts of sexual violence against the victims.
Over a series of occasions, he forcibly subjected each girl to sexual activity, actions that have left deep scars and lasting trauma.
Driver faced six charges of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14.
He admitted guilt to three of these charges on November 6 of the previous year.
Following this plea, the court sentenced him on January 18 to a term of 20 months imprisonment.
The crimes were committed when Driver was in his twenties, but he was not apprehended until September 1, 2015, after the victims courageously disclosed the abuse to detectives for the first time.
During the court proceedings, one of the victims delivered a heartfelt statement describing the profound and ongoing impact of the abuse on her life.
She explained how her childhood was overshadowed by an overwhelming sense of fear that began at the age of nine.
Despite efforts to overcome this fear, she revealed that it continues to influence her daily existence.
She stated, “A life blighted by an unreasonable level of fear from the age of nine, no matter what I’ve done in between to alleviate that fear, it still underpins my life.
“I do not feel safe in this world.
I am always bracing myself for the next challenge that inevitably comes along.
I don’t experience excitement, joy or wellbeing.
The best I can manage is to say, ‘right now I feel OK’ and act as if I’m joyful.
“In repressing fear and negative feelings, I have to repress all the positive ones as well.
It is emotional survival.” Leslie Driver’s case underscores the long-lasting effects of childhood abuse and the importance of justice, even many years after the crimes were committed.
His sentencing marks a significant step in addressing the pain inflicted upon his victims and highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and support for survivors of such traumatic experiences.
