PHILIP GADSBY SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR ABUSE IN SANDY AND LUTON

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Sandy and the surrounding areas, Philip Gadsby, a 70-year-old grandfather from Sandy, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 12 years for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against his two granddaughters. The abuse spanned over a decade, beginning in the late 1980s, and left lasting scars on the victims, who are now in their twenties.

Gadsby’s crimes involved a disturbing pattern of depravity, including rape, indecent assault, and acts of indecency with a child. The court heard that the abuse took place both at the victims’ homes and during visits to Gadsby’s residence, often when their grandmother was absent. The young girls, who were approximately eight years old when the abuse started, endured a series of sexual acts inflicted upon them by their grandfather. These acts included fondling, performing sex acts on him, and being shown pornographic films, with Gadsby asking one of his granddaughters, “Would you like me to do that to you?”

Prosecutor Vanessa Marshall detailed the disturbing nature of the offenses, revealing that after one of the girls was raped, Gadsby told her not to tell her grandmother and rewarded her with a large bag of sweets. As the victims grew older, Gadsby’s exploitation continued, with him giving money to one of the girls in exchange for sex, which she used to buy alcohol and drugs. The abuse persisted into their mid-teens, causing profound psychological damage.

The victims only came forward years later, in 2005, when one of them began speaking with social workers about her experiences. This led to police investigations and the eventual arrest of Gadsby in November 2006. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that one victim felt isolated and different from other children during her childhood due to the abuse, which contributed to her turning to alcohol, drugs, and self-harm. She also attempted to take her own life. The other victim struggled with trust issues, difficulty forming relationships, and feelings of guilt, all of which stemmed from the trauma inflicted by her grandfather.

Judge Richard Foster, presiding over the case at Luton Crown Court, condemned Gadsby’s actions as “evil” and emphasized the devastating impact on the victims’ innocence and childhood. Gadsby pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, eleven counts of indecent assault, and four counts of indecency with a child. His guilty plea was acknowledged by the court, but the judge made it clear that the severity of his crimes warranted a substantial sentence.

In addition to the 12-year imprisonment, Gadsby was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits him from approaching the victims, having unsupervised contact with children, or seeking employment that would give him access to children. His name will also be entered onto the sex offenders’ register, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. The court’s decision reflects society’s strong condemnation of such heinous acts and aims to protect others from potential harm by this individual.