May 2011 Pervert who preyed on children is jailed A paedophile who preyed on three children, subjecting them to degrading sexual abuse, has been jailed for 18 years. Former alcoholic Philip Trimble, 59, still maintains he is innocent of the rapes and indecent assaults he committed against the children, one as young as seven. He was convicted of 10 charges of rape, attempted rape, indecent assault and gross indecency following a trial at Northampton Crown Court when a jury rejected his denials, stating the abuse never happened. Alastair Smith, prosecuting, said Trimble had been trusted to look after the children when he took advantage, subjecting one victim to six years of “continual rape”. The court heard the offences were committed against his victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, between 1991 and 2002. Trimble, of Birch Road, Kettering, was jailed for 18 years by Judge Charles Wide QC yesterday and placed on the sex offenders’ register for life. The judge said: “I have to deal with you for very, very serious sexual offences. “These offences were committed in gross breach of trust and that’s especially true of the second victim – it’s hard to imagine a more gross breach of trust. “Her family thought she was safe with you but she was not because she was being continually raped by you. It’s not surprising she suffered and that she now says she feels her childhood was stolen from her. “Because of the breach of trust, because of the continual rapes and her young age when the abuse started, the sentence is bound to be a long one.” One of Trimble’s victims released a statement via Northamptonshire Police after seeing him jailed. She said: “This has been a very difficult time and the repercussions of this crime do not end with the conclusion of the justice process. “It has caused difficulties which will be difficult to repair. We wish to thank the police for listening to us and for their investigation and also want to thank the witness service for their help. They have made the daunting process of going to court easier. We feel that this case shows it is never too late to report abuse and would encourage anyone in a situation like ours to come forward. “No-one should tolerate this kind of offence. We now hope to be able to get on with rebuilding our lives.” John Lloyd-Jones, defending, told the court Trimble maintains his innocence. He said: “He resolutely maintains the denials he unsuccessfully maintained at trial.”