ANDREW WILLIAMS FROM HEMEL HEMPSTEAD AND BEDFORD SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES
In September 2017, Andrew Williams, a 50-year-old man from no fixed address, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for multiple sexual offences involving children as young as four across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.Williams was convicted at Luton Crown Court on 20 counts of sexual abuse.
The presiding judge remarked on the difficulty of determining whether Williams would ever cease to be a danger to children, stating, "you have no insight into who you are." The crimes against five victims spanned a 13-year period, with the latest incident occurring in 2015.
The victims' ages ranged from four to ten years old at the time.
Williams pleaded guilty to all charges on 22 May, which included two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act, six counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13, four counts of producing indecent images of children, one count of sexual exposure, and two counts of exposure.
These offences took place in Hemel Hempstead between 2012 and 2015.
Additionally, he was sentenced for one count of raping a female under 13, three counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14, and one count of sexual assault of a female under 13.
These crimes were committed in Bedford and Houghton Conquests between 2001 and 2006.
Addressing the court during sentencing, the judge said: "The case speaks for itself: Five victims over a long period of time in which you represent a clear and obvious danger." Williams received an 18-year prison sentence, accompanied by an extended seven-year license period, during which he will be subject to ongoing supervision.
He will only become eligible for parole after serving three-quarters of his sentence and will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
