RICHARD ANDREWS CALNE SEX OFFENDER JAILED FOR DECADES-OLD ABUSE IN CHIPPENHAM AND FISHERS BROOK

In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through the community, Richard Andrews, a 65-year-old man from Fishers Brook, Calne, has been convicted and sentenced to prison for a series of heinous sex offenses committed over three decades ago. The case came to light after Andrews himself walked into Chippenham police station in March, confessing to a long history of disturbing sexual assaults on young girls, some dating back as far as the late 1960s.

According to police reports, Andrews’s decision to come forward was significantly influenced by pressure from his family, particularly his wife and relatives. It was a startling turn of events, considering Andrews was previously known as a respected driving instructor and a dedicated charity fundraiser. His past involvement in community activities, including running numerous marathons to raise funds for various charities, painted a picture of a man who was well-regarded in his local area.

Andrews, who preferred to be called John by friends, was the owner of the now-defunct Lyneham School of Motoring, which operated in the Calne area. Those who knew him, such as Heather Beamish, 63, a former co-owner of Fern School of Motoring in Calne, expressed disbelief upon hearing of his criminal past. “We would never have believed it,” she said. “He was always jovial, full of jokes, and actively involved in charity work. It’s hard to reconcile the man we knew with these allegations.”

Despite his seemingly active and generous public persona, Andrews’s dark history was uncovered during police investigations. He was found guilty of multiple charges, including attempted rape, three counts of indecent assault, and three counts of indecency with a child. The court heard that Andrews’s offenses spanned over 35 years, involving two young girls aged four and twelve at the time of the abuse.

The court proceedings revealed that Andrews had groomed one of his victims over several years before the abuse culminated in an attempted rape. The victims, who had not initially reported the crimes, only came forward after being contacted by detectives. Their testimonies detailed how the systematic abuse had left deep psychological scars, affecting their ability to trust men and form relationships.

The younger victim, now approaching 40, described her experiences as a nightmare that she sometimes thought was just a bad dream, yet acknowledged how profoundly it had impacted her life. Prosecutor Chris Jervis explained that Andrews began abusing the first girl when she was around four or five years old, touching her and forcing her to perform indecent acts. He also made her and a friend touch each other inappropriately in front of him. The abuse escalated when Andrews attempted to rape the girl when she was about five, an act he later described as a mistake he realized was horrible.

Further allegations detailed that around 1980, Andrews abused another girl, approximately twelve years old at the time, engaging in inappropriate touching. Andrews admitted during police interviews that he had lived with the knowledge of his actions for over 23 years, fearing discovery by his family. His full confession included admissions of multiple acts of gross indecency with the younger girl, as well as attempted rape and other assaults.

Defense lawyer Mark Ashley emphasized Andrews’s otherwise good character, highlighting his 16 years of service in the Royal Air Force and his three-decade career as a driving instructor and examiner. Ashley also pointed out Andrews’s extensive charity work, including running at least 50 marathons and raising over £100,000 for various causes, as well as volunteering for cycling proficiency tests.

Judge Tom Longbotham, presiding over the case, sentenced Andrews to six years in prison. The judge noted that the pre-sentence report suggested the offenses were unlikely to have been isolated incidents, indicating a pattern of grooming and ongoing risk to young girls. As part of his sentence, Andrews was also banned from working with children and ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely, reflecting the serious nature of his crimes and the potential danger he poses to the community.