WILLIAM REDHOUSE SHOCKS ABINGDON, SKIPTON, AND STOKESLEY WITH CHILD ABUSE SENTENCE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Abingdon, Skipton, and Stokesley, William Redhouse was sentenced to five years in prison after a lengthy investigation into his past crimes. The conviction came after his victim, who endured years of suffering in silence, finally found the courage to come forward and report the abuse that had haunted her for nearly twenty years.

Redhouse’s criminal history was brought to light following the victim’s decision to contact the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and law enforcement authorities. She revealed that Redhouse had subjected her to indecent assaults starting from when she was just eight years old. Her ordeal, which she kept secret for most of her life, was only uncovered after she learned that Redhouse had married a teacher and was expecting a child, prompting her to break her silence.

William Redhouse, who has previously resided in Stokesley and Skipton in North Yorkshire, moved to Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in 2007 in an attempt to start anew. It was at his home in Abingdon that he was arrested last year, following an investigation into his past.

During the court proceedings, Redhouse’s defense lawyer, Lesley Goodman, provided insight into his troubled background. She explained that Redhouse had struggled with emotional difficulties from a young age, particularly following his parents’ divorce during his teenage years. According to Goodman, he had few friends, spent hours isolated in his bedroom playing computer games, and was subjected to bullying at school. These factors contributed to his difficulties in managing stress and emotions.

Goodman described Redhouse’s decision to plead guilty as “a brave and courageous decision,” emphasizing that it spared his victim the trauma of reliving her childhood in court through testimony. She also stated that Redhouse fully accepts his guilt and that his remorse appears genuine, which she believes reduces the likelihood of reoffending.

Redhouse, who appeared in court wearing glasses and dressed neatly, resides on Campion Road in Abingdon. He admitted to seven counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault during an earlier hearing.

Judge George Moorhouse addressed Redhouse directly, acknowledging the impact of the sentence on his family. “You are now married with a child, and I am sure the sentence I pass will have a significant effect on them,” he said. The judge also noted that Redhouse’s early guilty plea and previously good character were taken into account, and described him as a “hard-working young man.”

The court heard that the victim had previously ignored repeated pleas from former boyfriends to disclose her abuse, and that she continues to struggle with forming meaningful relationships. Her silence and subsequent disclosure highlight the profound and lasting effects of her traumatic experience, which has now culminated in a significant legal judgment against William Redhouse.