FORMER HAMPSHIRE CHILDREN'S HOME STAFF MEMBER WILLY GILLHAM SENTENCED IN SOUTHAMPTON
| Red Rose Database
Romsey France Rapist
In September 2017, Willy Gillham, a former staff member at a Hampshire children’s home, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for child abuse committed in the 1980s. Gillham, 64, of Deux-Sèvres in France, was convicted by Southampton Crown Court of four serious sexual offences involving a boy under 16.
The court heard that Gillham had carried out offences including rape and indecent assault at Palmerston House, a children’s home in Romsey, Hampshire, during the 1980s. The home had closed before Hampshire Constabulary’s Operation Marmion investigation uncovered the offences.
Gillham received an 18-month sentence for indecent assault, and a 15-year sentence for three counts of rape, with all sentences to run concurrently. He will serve a minimum of 7 years before being eligible for parole.
The court heard that Gillham had carried out offences including rape and indecent assault at Palmerston House, a children’s home in Romsey, Hampshire, during the 1980s. The home had closed before Hampshire Constabulary’s Operation Marmion investigation uncovered the offences.
Gillham received an 18-month sentence for indecent assault, and a 15-year sentence for three counts of rape, with all sentences to run concurrently. He will serve a minimum of 7 years before being eligible for parole.