AUBREY MITCHELL AND MARY GOSCOMBE SENTENCED FOR ABUSE IN HIGH WYCOMBE

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of High Wycombe, an 80-year-old man named Aubrey Mitchell has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of heinous crimes involving a young girl. The offences, which spanned nearly a decade, began when the victim was only ten years old, and Mitchell's actions have been described as a profound violation of her innocence and childhood.

Mitchell was found guilty by a jury at Aylesbury Crown Court on multiple counts, including two charges of rape and one of indecent assault. The court heard that the abuse was systematic and ongoing, with Mitchell exploiting his position of power over the vulnerable child. The severity of his crimes was underscored by the judge, who emphasized the lasting damage inflicted upon the victim.

Adding to the gravity of the case, Mitchell’s partner, 68-year-old Mary Goscombe, was also convicted of aiding and abetting Mitchell’s criminal acts. Jurors found her guilty of one charge of assisting in the rape and another of cruelty to a person under 16. Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Goscombe was aware of the abuse but chose to do nothing to intervene or stop her partner. As a result, she received a substantial prison sentence of 14 years.

Both Mitchell and Goscombe face lifelong restrictions, including bans from working with children and mandatory registration on the Sex Offenders’ Register. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness with which the justice system views such violations, especially those involving minors.

During the proceedings, the court was informed of a violent attack on Mitchell following the discovery of his crimes. He was assaulted with an iron bar by two men and later nearly killed in an arson attack on his residence on Bookerhill Road, High Wycombe. These incidents highlight the community’s outrage and the dangerous environment surrounding the case.

Judge Johanna Cutts delivered the sentence, condemning Mitchell’s actions as driven by selfish motives. She stated, “You acted for your own selfish gratification and it happened many times. She was a vulnerable child.” The judge acknowledged Mitchell’s frailty but emphasized that his age did not diminish the severity of his crimes. “I accept you are frail but I cannot ignore the fact you robbed [the girl] of her childhood and her adolescence. You used and abused her to suit the interests of both of you.”

Mitchell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for each of the two counts of rape, with an additional five-year sentence for indecent assault, all to run concurrently. Goscombe received a ten-year sentence for aiding and abetting rape, followed by a four-year term for cruelty to a person under 16, with the sentences to be served consecutively. The case leaves a lasting scar on the community of High Wycombe, highlighting the importance of justice for victims of such grave abuse.