Abuse victims were blindfolded in ‘sick game’
ATTACKER, 85, JAILED FOR 16 YEARS AFTER GUILTY PLEA
A VICTIM of child sexual abuse said he “burst into tears” when he heard his attacker was to plead guilty, saying: “I don’t believe I will ever get over it but at least I can put some closure on it.”
The victim, whose identity is protected by lifelong anonymity, said in a statement provided to a court that pensioner James Staples had “messed my life up”.
The man was one of three children abused by Staples, who is now 85 years old.
In the statement, the male victim said: “I feel (Staples) has messed my life up.
“He’s had a big impact on my life and took away my innocence as a child.
“When I was told he was going to plead guilty I just burst into tears. All I ever wanted was for him to accept responsibility for what he had done.
“I don’t believe I will ever get over it but at least I can put some closure on it.”
Staples, who preyed on two young girls and one boy, has been jailed for 16 years.
One of the girls was abused for more than a decade.
The boy was abused decades ago. The offences came to light in 2019 when one of the girls found the courage to tell her mother what had happened.
Then a second girl made a complaint that Staples had sexually abused her.
Two months later, the male victim also came forward with disturbing allegations against Staples.
Staples was arrested and he admitted abusing the three victims.
Nottingham Crown Court was told how he blindfolded two of his victims as part of a sick game during which he committed the horrific offences.
Staples, of Devon Drive, Carrington, pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault on a boy and four counts of sexual assault on a girl.
He will serve half of the 16-year sentence behind bars and the rest on licence. He has also been made subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
Following the sentencing on Friday, Detective Constable Alicia Harrison, of Nottinghamshire Police’s public protection team, praised the bravery and courage of the victims in coming forward.
She said: “I would like to thank the victims for being so courageous and supporting the investigation. I acknowledge how difficult that was for each of them.
“I hope they can now move on to the next chapter of their lives safe in the knowledge that their abuser has been brought to justice and will spend a considerable time in prison.
“I’m really pleased that justice has been done for them. This outcome shows Nottinghamshire Police will always thoroughly investigate reports of sexual offences, regardless of when they happened.”
Detective Constable Lisa Torrance, who helped run the investigation, added: “We know how hard it is to come forward and report these offences, whether they have taken place recently or in the past.
“We are committed to getting justice for victims and have specially trained officers to support them through the process.
“We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse to contact police on 101 where you can speak with our specialist detectives in confidence.”