Devon man jailed for child sex offences

He was convicted of 18 offences in total

A Devon man has been jailed for 26 years after he was convicted of non-recent sexual offences against two children.

73-year-old Alan Batchelor, of Vale Road, Kingskerswell, pleaded guilty to four counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He pleaded not guilty and was tried for 14 other offences across multiple occasions, including rape of a child under 13, attempted rape, sexual assault of a child under 13, causing a child to watch a sexual act, voyeurism and causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. He was found guilty of them all.

In March 2022, one of the women contacted Devon and Cornwall Police, making a formal complaint and an investigation was launched immediately.

During trial the court heard how Batchelor raped and sexually abused the two young girls on numerous occasions. He threatened to kill himself if they told anyone about the abuse.

Batchelor admitted some of the abuse, but denied other allegations against him saying they were fabricated.

Officer in the case, DC Garry Harding said: “We welcome the sentence given to Alan Batchelor at Exeter Crown Court.

“He has shown himself to be an evil sexual predator who targeted young girls in the pursuit of sexual gratification, showing no consideration whatsoever for the effect of his actions on his victims.

“The victims in this case have shown immense bravery to disclose what happened to them and without them Batchelor would have been able to continue with his day-to-day life.

“This case shows that it is never too late to report sexual abuse and that victims will be believed.”