CHELTENHAM MAN REGINALD STREET SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST BOY OVER 30 YEARS AGO

In September 2008, Reginald Street, a 56-year-old resident of Mendip Road in Cheltenham, was sentenced to 15 months in prison after being convicted of sexual offences committed against a boy more than three decades earlier.

At Gloucester Crown Court, Judge Mark Horton told Street that he had “destroyed the boy’s childhood and damaged his adulthood.” Street pleaded guilty to two charges of indecent assault on a 14-year-old and one charge of indecency with the same child, with the offences spanning a period of ten years.

Crown Prosecutor Giles Nelson explained that the offences came to light when the victim, now in his 40s, reported receiving threatening telephone calls. During police interviews, the victim was able to recall three specific instances of abuse, highlighting a pattern of grooming and exploitation.

Mr. Nelson recounted that after the offences, Street told the boy, “Don’t tell anyone. I’ll go to prison. I love you with all of my heart.” The victim’s statement described the abuse as having a “devastating effect” on his life.

In her mitigation, defence solicitor Joanna Lewis explained that Street had no recollection of the offences but had no reason to doubt the victim’s account. She noted that psychiatric and psychological reports indicated Street struggled to form normal social relationships, suffering from intellectual impairments, personality deficiencies, social isolation, and a lack of friends.

Lewis added that Street had been of good character, was supported by his sister, and worked as a porter. She also mentioned that he had experienced significant health problems.

The judge emphasized the gravity of the offences, stating, “There is no doubt that you corrupted this young child and this catastrophe has had a prolonged and detrimental effect on the victim.” Taking into account Street’s intellectual and sociological challenges, as well as his plea of guilty at the earliest opportunity, the sentence was reduced to what the judge called the “absolute bare minimum.”

Street was sentenced to 15 months for each of the indecent assault charges and an additional three months for indecency, with all sentences to run concurrently. He is also required to serve half of this term before being eligible for release on licence and was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register.