CALLUM WATERHOUSE

A man has been sentenced to over 16 years behind bars for the sexual abuse and rape of two children.

Callum Waterhouse, aged 27 from Llwyn-Yr-Eos in Nelson, Wales, received a 16-year prison term after a jury unanimously convicted him of nine different offences at Bristol Crown Court.

The trial lasted eight days and concluded in March.

His convictions included multiple counts of raping a girl under 13, multiple sexual assaults involving penetration, sexual assault of a girl under 13, a rape charge, and three counts related to sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15 when he was over 18.

Several of these charges were grouped as multiple offence counts, indicating multiple incidents were considered together.

Waterhouse initially moved from Wales to Bristol in 2016 at age 18, where he groomed and repeatedly assaulted a young girl.

Later that year, after returning to the Torfaen area of Wales at 19, he groomed and assaulted a teenage girl on multiple occasions.

The police investigation began in 2018 after Waterhouse’s first victim disclosed her experiences to the second victim.

This led to a report to Gwent Police and ultimately to law enforcement authorities.

In her statement, the first victim expressed that Waterhouse’s actions not only stole her childhood but also severely impacted her teenage years, leaving lifelong trauma.

She said, “It took 10 years to get to court, but I am finally being heard now,” and added that she hates what happened, which has deeply affected her confidence and relationships.

Following further disclosures from the first victim in July 2023, prosecutors added more charges in October 2023.

The trial was scheduled for November 2024 but was postponed until late February this year.

On March 5, 2023, Waterhouse was found guilty, and on May 7, he received a 16-year sentence at Bristol Crown Court, with a minimum of nine and a half years before eligibility for parole.

The first victim publicly addressed Waterhouse during the sentencing, saying, “Today, I leave behind all the darkness and pain you caused me.

I am giving my fears, flashbacks, and suffering to you now.

I am determined to rebuild my life, to find happiness and freedom.

I refuse to be defined by what you did, and I hope you carry guilt for the rest of your life.”