RON WOOD CHADDESDEN SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED IN DERBY FOR CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULTS

In February 2014, a disturbing case unfolded in Derby involving Ron Wood, a resident of Buckingham Avenue, Chaddesden, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl. The case gained significant attention not only because of the heinous nature of the crimes but also due to the role played by the NSPCC's 'Underwear Code' campaign, which aims to educate children about personal boundaries and safety.

According to reports, Wood was found guilty by a jury of four counts of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13. The assaults reportedly occurred at an address in Chaddesden, which was not Wood's own residence, between January 1 and March 18 of the previous year. The victim, a young girl, confided in her mother about the abuse, prompting her mother to contact the police. The case then proceeded to Derby Crown Court, where Wood faced trial.

Despite the conviction, Wood, aged 60, maintained his innocence and continued to deny the charges. His decision to go to trial meant that the young victim was required to give evidence in court, an ordeal that was undoubtedly traumatic for her. During the sentencing hearing, Judge John Burgess addressed Wood directly, stating, “You have expressed absolutely no remorse and because of that it follows that there can be no reduction in the sentence I hand to you.”

Judge Burgess emphasized that although Wood was of previous good character and this was not an extreme case, the nature of the offenses was serious. He highlighted that Wood was in a position of trust, having been trusted by the victim’s parents, and that this trust had been egregiously breached.

In sentencing, Wood was handed an indefinite sexual offences prevention order and was banned from working with children for life. Additionally, he was prohibited from having any unsupervised contact, directly or indirectly, with anyone under the age of 16 for the remainder of his life. The judge expressed hope that the young girl would not suffer long-term emotional or physical harm from the abuse, acknowledging her young age and resilience.

Vanessa Marshall, representing the NSPCC's West Midlands region, commented on the case, praising the effectiveness of the 'Underwear Code' campaign. She stated, “It’s deeply distressing that a young girl was forced to give evidence in a sexual abuse trial because the offender refused to admit his guilt. However, it’s exceptionally good news that he was caught because of our powerful Underwear Rule campaign. It illustrates just how important it is for parents to have a conversation with their children about staying safe.”

Marshall also commended the victim and her mother for their bravery, noting, “This is an appalling case but the little girl has shown tremendous courage in talking about her ordeal and taking part in the court proceedings, which is a traumatic experience. Her mum should also be praised for taking the decision to talk to her daughter and exposing this dangerous sex offender.”

In a statement, Wood’s legal representative, Vanessa Marshall, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, saying, “He realises he has lost everything. His wife has left him and he has lost his house and now finds himself in prison for a significant period of time.” The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of child safety campaigns and the need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable children from predators in communities like Chaddesden and beyond.