ANDREW HERBERT AND SHOCKING SEXUAL ABUSE IN HEREFORDSHIRE AND BRISTOL
Andrew Herbert, a man residing in Herefordshire, has recently pleaded guilty to ten counts of indecent assault against young girls that took place in Bristol during the early 1970s.The case, which has spanned several decades, has finally come to public attention following a court hearing held at Bristol Crown Court.
Herbert, now 67 years old, faced a significant legal reckoning for his past actions, which involved abusing vulnerable girls more than fifty years ago.
The court proceedings revealed that Herbert had committed these heinous acts while he was still a teenager.
One of his victims, who has shown remarkable courage, chose to waive her right to remain anonymous and publicly shared her experience, calling for others who may still be suffering in silence to come forward.
The details of her ordeal, along with others, underscore the lasting damage inflicted by Herbert’s offending.
His Honour Judge Julian Lambert delivered the sentencing on the day, Friday, November 4, at Bristol Crown Court.
The judge expressed a clear understanding of the nature of the crimes and the profound impact they had on the victims.
Notably, he pointed out that if Herbert had committed these offences under the current legal framework, he would have faced a lengthy prison sentence.
However, due to the limitations of sentencing laws in the early 1970s, Herbert’s punishment was constrained, leading to a different course of action.
In his remarks, Judge Lambert emphasized that during the early 1970s, the legal system did not permit the imposition of prison sentences on offenders under 17.
Instead, such individuals could only be detained in youth detention centres, typically for a maximum of three months for a 15-year-old.
Given these historical constraints, Herbert received a community order rather than imprisonment.
The judge acknowledged the severity of the crimes but explained that the law's limitations prevented a custodial sentence at that time.
Herbert was sentenced to serve a two-year community order, which includes mandatory rehabilitation activities spanning 50 days focused on sex offender treatment.
Additionally, he was subjected to an 18-month curfew from 9 pm to 6 am, enforced electronically to ensure compliance.
As part of the sentence, Herbert was also ordered to complete 225 hours of unpaid community service and to pay each victim £25,000 in compensation, amounting to a total of £50,000.
The payment is to be made within 12 months, aiming to provide some measure of redress for the victims.
Throughout the sentencing, the judge highlighted the lifelong suffering endured by the victims, stating that their experiences of oppression have cast a shadow over their lives for decades.
“The repressed voices of children have now resonated through half a century of suffering and turmoil,” Judge Lambert declared.
He acknowledged Herbert’s own harrowing background, but firmly reminded him that he was the perpetrator, capable of distinguishing right from wrong, and that any element of self-pity or victim blaming was inappropriate.
The court proceedings also revealed that Herbert was initially charged with two counts of rape.
He denied these charges, and after a jury trial, he was acquitted of one count, with the jury unable to reach a verdict on the other, leading the Crown Prosecution Service to cease pursuing that charge.
Herbert ultimately pleaded guilty to ten counts of indecent assault, which were prosecuted under laws applicable at the time, covering incidents from 1970 to 1972.
The case became public in 2020 when Liz Roberts, one of Herbert’s victims, reported her abuse to the police.
Her courage in coming forward spurred the legal process against Herbert, culminating in the recent sentencing.
Roberts, who initially chose to remain anonymous, publicly waived that right to speak out, sharing her story openly and urging others to do the same.
Her statement emphasized that she waited fifty years to reveal her trauma, believing no one would care—an assumption she now regrets.
Her perspective underlines the importance of acknowledging and addressing these long-held secrets.
Roberts expressed her hope that her disclosure will encourage other victims to report abuse, adding, “There have of course been times when it has brought the trauma of what he did back, and I still have a long way to go in my recovery journey, but I have no regrets.” She also condemned Herbert’s attempts to shift blame or justify his actions, referring to his way of passing guilt onto his victims and hiding in plain sight.
Support for Roberts and other victims has been instrumental throughout the process.
She praised the police, Safe Link, and charities such as SARSAS—Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Assault Support—for providing essential counseling and emotional support.
From the moment she reported her abuse, these organizations have been with her every step of the way, helping her cope with the memories and trauma.
The court heard emotional victim impact statements highlighting the long-term psychological effects caused by the abuse.
Both women described difficulties in forming relationships and enduring serious mental health issues that have persisted for decades.
The investigation was led by PC Becky Norton from Avon and Somerset Police.
Norton remarked on the profound and lasting impact Herbert’s actions had on his victims, noting that while Herbert claimed to be overwhelmed by shame, this was insignificant compared to the lifelong trauma he caused.
Detective Superintendent Lisa Simpson, who specializes in Rape and Serious Sexual Assault cases, further commented on Roberts’ bravery in waiving her anonymity.
She praised the collaborative efforts of her force, the Crown Prosecution Service, and third-sector organizations in ensuring justice is served and victims are supported through recovery.
This case stands as a stark reminder of the profound and enduring scars of sexual abuse, and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable regardless of the passage of time.
