Rapist jailed for 'appalling' 1960s abuse of girl

A man who repeatedly raped a girl over several years in the 1960s in what police called an "appalling seven-year campaign of sexual abuse" has been jailed for 20 years.

John Erskine, of Coventry, used violence when she did not comply with him, Warwickshire Police said.

The victim, now an adult, first approached officers in another area in the 1980s to report the abuse, but the force said "like many survivors, [she] was let down".

However she came forward again after hearing of another case affecting someone she knew and Erskine, now 75, was charged and convicted with police praising the woman's "unwavering strength".

He was found guilty of five counts of rape of a girl under 16 and two counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday.

Erskine was questioned for several hours when the woman first came forward in the 1980s but the force said, with the law being different at the time, he was let go on the basis the offences had not happened recently enough to prosecute.

But detectives said changes to the justice system since the 1980s meant that, when she came forward again, they pushed to prosecute Erskine.

When arrested, the 75-year-old switched between minimising what he did, lying about his offending or making excuses during an interview.

Det Sgt Dugmore, who led the investigation, said he wanted to commend the victim for her courage.

"The justice system failed her in the 1980s and we know it will have taken yet more bravery to make that report again, all these years later," they said.

"Nothing will take away the pain that Erskine caused.

"But she is an extraordinary woman and I hope this sentence goes some way to bringing her the peace she deserves.

"She has asked me to express her hope that others who have survived abuse see this story and feel able to come forward and let us help them to get justice."

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