NEIL BANCROFT OF WALKFORD SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS FOR ABUSING YOUNG GIRLS IN CHRISTCHURCH
| Red Rose Database
Walkford Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Walkford and Christchurch, Neil Bancroft, a 75-year-old man residing on Glenville Road in Walkford, was sentenced to six years in prison for a series of serious sexual offenses involving two young girls. The crimes took place at various locations within Christchurch, where Bancroft targeted victims aged between 10 and 13, and 16 to 18, exploiting their innocence and trust.
During the court proceedings at Bournemouth Crown Court, it was revealed that Bancroft had engaged in inappropriate and abusive behavior towards the victims, which extended beyond the initial assaults. Notably, Bancroft sent emails to both girls after the incidents, attempting to manipulate and emotionally manipulate them. One of the emails, directed at the older victim, asked if she remembered the “wonderful, marvellous, fabulous, terrific, superb” date of her abuse, highlighting his disturbing attempt to romanticize or trivialize the trauma he caused.
The younger victim, who was sitting on a stairlift at the time of one of the assaults, was also targeted in Bancroft’s communications. He later messaged her, asking if she had seen the television show “Mrs Brown’s Boys,” and remarked that it reminded him of the “fabulous experience” he had with her. This message exemplifies Bancroft’s inappropriate and manipulative attitude towards his victims, attempting to link his abusive acts to trivial entertainment references.
At the hearing, Sadie Rizzo, prosecuting, detailed how the older girl described her feelings of being “creepy and sick” due to Bancroft’s actions. She recounted that she “froze” on two separate occasions when Bancroft touched her, indicating the trauma and fear inflicted upon her. The court also heard that Bancroft had described his victim as “gorgeous and sexy” in emails, further demonstrating his predatory mindset.
Regarding the younger girl, Bancroft admitted to the incident involving her on the stairlift but claimed that she had been “inviting him to touch her,” a defense that the court found entirely unconvincing. The police investigation revealed that Bancroft lacked insight and empathy for his actions, a concern raised by officers from the Probation Service.
During sentencing, Mr. Recorder Donald Tait expressed his confusion over the motives behind Bancroft’s actions, describing the offenses as “entirely out of character.” He emphasized that Bancroft committed these crimes for his own sexual gratification, as evidenced by the messages he sent afterward. The judge firmly rejected any suggestion that the victims were in any way complicit in the abuse.
In addition to the prison sentence, Bancroft will be subject to an indefinite restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order, aimed at protecting potential future victims. Bancroft’s background includes employment as an industrial chemist at Union Carbide and BP, but his professional life is now overshadowed by his criminal conduct.
As Bancroft was taken into custody, his sons shouted “love you dad,” while his wife of 44 years attended the court but was unable to sit through the proceedings. The case has left the community and the victims’ families deeply disturbed, with one family member expressing suspicion that Bancroft may have other victims, stating, “I would be very surprised if there weren’t any others.” Another victim’s relative described Bancroft as “a paedophile, through and through,” condemning his actions as utterly disgusting and reprehensible.
During the court proceedings at Bournemouth Crown Court, it was revealed that Bancroft had engaged in inappropriate and abusive behavior towards the victims, which extended beyond the initial assaults. Notably, Bancroft sent emails to both girls after the incidents, attempting to manipulate and emotionally manipulate them. One of the emails, directed at the older victim, asked if she remembered the “wonderful, marvellous, fabulous, terrific, superb” date of her abuse, highlighting his disturbing attempt to romanticize or trivialize the trauma he caused.
The younger victim, who was sitting on a stairlift at the time of one of the assaults, was also targeted in Bancroft’s communications. He later messaged her, asking if she had seen the television show “Mrs Brown’s Boys,” and remarked that it reminded him of the “fabulous experience” he had with her. This message exemplifies Bancroft’s inappropriate and manipulative attitude towards his victims, attempting to link his abusive acts to trivial entertainment references.
At the hearing, Sadie Rizzo, prosecuting, detailed how the older girl described her feelings of being “creepy and sick” due to Bancroft’s actions. She recounted that she “froze” on two separate occasions when Bancroft touched her, indicating the trauma and fear inflicted upon her. The court also heard that Bancroft had described his victim as “gorgeous and sexy” in emails, further demonstrating his predatory mindset.
Regarding the younger girl, Bancroft admitted to the incident involving her on the stairlift but claimed that she had been “inviting him to touch her,” a defense that the court found entirely unconvincing. The police investigation revealed that Bancroft lacked insight and empathy for his actions, a concern raised by officers from the Probation Service.
During sentencing, Mr. Recorder Donald Tait expressed his confusion over the motives behind Bancroft’s actions, describing the offenses as “entirely out of character.” He emphasized that Bancroft committed these crimes for his own sexual gratification, as evidenced by the messages he sent afterward. The judge firmly rejected any suggestion that the victims were in any way complicit in the abuse.
In addition to the prison sentence, Bancroft will be subject to an indefinite restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order, aimed at protecting potential future victims. Bancroft’s background includes employment as an industrial chemist at Union Carbide and BP, but his professional life is now overshadowed by his criminal conduct.
As Bancroft was taken into custody, his sons shouted “love you dad,” while his wife of 44 years attended the court but was unable to sit through the proceedings. The case has left the community and the victims’ families deeply disturbed, with one family member expressing suspicion that Bancroft may have other victims, stating, “I would be very surprised if there weren’t any others.” Another victim’s relative described Bancroft as “a paedophile, through and through,” condemning his actions as utterly disgusting and reprehensible.