MICHAEL CHAPMAN SHOCKS WEYMOUTH WITH CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE SENTENCE AT BOURNEMOUTH CROWN COURT
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Weymouth, Michael Chapman, a former swimming instructor, has been sentenced to a total of six years in prison for a series of child sexual abuse offenses committed over a span of more than a decade.The 82-year-old, who resided on Seven Acres Road in Preston, Weymouth, was convicted of ten counts of indecent assault against two young girls, with the abuse dating back to the 1980s and early 1990s.
Chapman’s crimes came to light after a lengthy trial at Bournemouth Crown Court in February, where he maintained his innocence despite the overwhelming evidence presented against him.
The court heard that between 1981 and 1993, Chapman exploited his position as a swimming coach with the Thornlow Tornadoes team to carry out his heinous acts.
The victims, who were as young as 11 years old when the abuse began, endured his misconduct until they reached their teenage years.
Details of the abuse revealed that Chapman would inappropriately touch the victims while giving them lifts in his car to swimming lessons, often when they were dressed in their swimming costumes.
The court also heard that he would send them Valentine’s Day cards, further manipulating and grooming the young girls.
The victims’ accounts painted a disturbing picture of betrayal and exploitation by someone they had trusted.
During the sentencing hearing, one of the victims delivered a powerful victim impact statement, describing the profound and lasting effects of Chapman’s actions.
She recounted that she was only 11 years old when she first met Chapman and described her childhood as vulnerable and unsafe.
She explained that the abuse continued until she was 15, causing her to struggle with relationships and to feel unable to love her own children.
The victim revealed that the trauma inflicted upon her led her to contemplate ending her life, highlighting the severe psychological scars left by Chapman’s misconduct.
She expressed her frustration at the silence surrounding such abuse, stating, “By not coming forward I would have been complicit in the walls of silence which let sexual abuse continue.
I don’t want to live in a community where being sexually assaulted is seen as part of life.” Her words underscored the importance of speaking out against abuse and the devastating impact it has on victims.
Judge Peter Johnson addressed Chapman directly during the sentencing, condemning his actions as a gross betrayal of trust.
He stated, “You touched these girls in a place where they should have been safe.
Their parents trusted you, and the children trusted you too.
This was a gross and grotesque abuse of that trust.
They carry the burden of what you did to them; you ruined their childhood.” The judge also noted Chapman’s apparent lack of remorse, remarking that the only regret he expressed was for his current predicament.
As a result of his convictions, Chapman was sentenced to two years in prison for the abuse of one victim and four years for the other, with the sentences to run consecutively.
Additionally, he will be listed on the sex offenders register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions.
The case has left a lasting impact on the Weymouth community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and the need to protect vulnerable children from predators like Michael Chapman.
