WILLIAM JORDAN OF WEST LONDON SENTENCED FOR HISTORIC CHILD RAPE CASES INVOLVING 11 AND 14-YEAR-OLDS

In a case that has spanned decades, William Jordan, a 59-year-old man from Greyhound Road in West London, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison following his conviction for the sexual abuse of two young girls during the 1970s. The Old Bailey court heard harrowing details of his crimes, which included a particularly shocking incident occurring on his wedding night, while his new bride was sleeping in an adjacent room.

Jordan was found guilty of raping a 14-year-old girl in 1973, shortly after his wedding reception. The victim, who was sleeping in a bed at a family friend's house, was attacked by Jordan as his bride slept just next door. It was only after four decades that she felt able to come forward, when police contacted her as part of an investigation into historic abuse cases. Gaining her trust, authorities received a detailed and compelling account of the assault, which she had kept secret for many years.

The court also heard about a second victim, an 11-year-old girl, who worked as a babysitter at Jordan’s residence in Hammersmith between 1977 and 1979. According to police reports, Jordan would return home from the pub after about an hour, and if the children were asleep, he would sexually assault her. After the abuse, he would leave to rejoin his wife, often on more than one occasion during her babysitting shifts. The young girl endured these assaults over a period of time, with the incidents occurring whenever she was left alone to care for the children.

Detective Inspector Tim Wilkinson, from the Metropolitan Police’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, emphasized the significance of the conviction. He stated, “This conviction sends out a very strong and positive message to Londoners that those who commit serious offences will be brought to justice without the passing of time being a barrier.” He also praised the bravery of the victims, acknowledging their courage in giving evidence in court. Inspector Wilkinson added, “We know that only a proportion of rape victims report to police, and I hope that this conviction encourages other victims of rape to come forward.”