February 2014 Derby sex predator snared by NSPCC “Underwear Code” A MOTHER snared a pervert who sexually assaulted her young daughter by following a “Underwear Code” issued by the NSPCC. The code is publicised in a national television and radio campaign and urges parents to tell their child that the parts of their body covered by underwear are private and no-one should touch them. Watch a video about the campaign here: Speaking to the Derby Telegraph after Ron Wood, of Buckingham Avenue, Chaddesden, was jailed for eight years the victim’s mother urged other parents to talk to their children about the code. She said: “I heard the campaign and thought it was very hard-hitting and wasn’t sure about talking to my daughter about it. I am glad I did because this is how I found out what was going on and we were able to get justice. “I think it is something every parent should do – and they should be prepared to expect the unexpected. “This was something positive coming out of a horrible situation.” Derby Crown Court was told how Wood “denied and continues to deny” the offences despite being found guilty by a jury. By taking his case to trial the 60-year-old made his victim go through the ordeal of having to give evidence. At his sentencing hearing Judge John Burgess said: “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. “You are 60 years-old and of previous good character and this is not an extreme case – but it is a bad case. “We are dealing with a child and you were in a position of trust from her parents. You breached that trust.” Wood was convicted of four counts of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13. The details of the four counts were not read out at his sentencing, but a spokesman for Derbyshire police said they took place between January 1 and March 18 last year. He said: “The victim told her mother what had happened who in turn called the police. “The offences took place at an address in Chaddesden that is not the home address of Mr Wood.” Judge Burgess said he hoped that the victim, because of her young age, would not be left emotionally or physically affected by what Wood did to her. He handed Wood a sexual offences prevention order for an indefinite period and banned him from working with children for life. He also prohibited Wood from having any unsupervised contact, directly or indirectly, with anyone under the age of 16 for the rest of his life. Judge Burgess said: “The impression that I get is that the child as young as she was at the time of the offence is less likely to be psychologically damaged as you might expect with an older child.” Vanessa Marshall, for Wood, said: “He realises he has lost everything. His wife has left him and he has lost his house and now find himself in prison for a significant period of time.” Sandra McNair, the NSPCC’s West Midlands head of service said: “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. “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.”