Elderly man jailed for sexual assault after kidnap attempt

ELDERLY MAN JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AFTER KIDNAP ATTEMPT

A depraved pensioner abducted a boy from Bulwell marketplace, drove him to a nearby car park and sexually assaulted him.

Tony Spilsbury, aged 76, was arrested the following day at his home in Mapperley and tried to claim the incident had been “a misunderstanding”.

Spilsbury approached the boy on July 11 and asked him to help with his van.

The retired builder then drove the victim to a secluded area of a nearby car park and assaulted him.

The 12-year-old resisted Spilsbury’s advances and was then driven a short distance before being pushed out of the van.

He ran back to the marketplace and raised the alarm with his mother, who informed police.

Nottinghamshire Police traced Spilsbury through his white Peugeot van.

When arrested, Spilsbury claimed the boy had approached him asking for money and that he was giving him a lift home.

He also said the boy initiated contact after he bent to pick up a chocolate bar, but CCTV footage contradicted his account.

Spilsbury pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault by touching and admitted taking the boy, though he wasn't convicted of child abduction specifically.

At Nottingham Crown Court, he was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison, with an additional three years on licence upon release, and will be registered as a sex offender for life.

Detective Constable Stephen Dunn commented on Spilsbury’s cunning and premeditation, and praised the victim's bravery.