CHRISTOPHER MITCHELL FROM COLEY SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST CHILDREN IN READING

In a case that has shocked the local community of Coley, a 70-year-old man named Christopher Mitchell has been handed a substantial prison sentence of 15 years after he pleaded guilty to a series of serious sexual offences involving young children. The court proceedings revealed the disturbing extent of Mitchell’s crimes, which spanned over a decade and inflicted lasting trauma on his young victims.

Mitchell, who was formerly residing on Ferndale Avenue in Coley, appeared at Reading Crown Court for sentencing on a Friday. His appearance followed a change in plea from not guilty to guilty on all charges, which was made on the very first day his trial was scheduled to commence, March 25. The judge, Judge John Reddihough, condemned Mitchell’s actions as “appalling” and emphasized the profound impact his offences had on the victims involved.

The court heard that Mitchell was responsible for abusing two young girls, one of whom he subjected to multiple rapes over a period of approximately one year. The abuse was not limited to a single incident but was part of a pattern of sexual misconduct that occurred over several years during the 1990s and early 2000s. The offences included a range of sexual crimes, such as rape, indecent assault, indecency with a child, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Specifically, Mitchell admitted to raping a seven-year-old girl on multiple occasions between November 2001 and November 2002. He also pleaded guilty to ten counts of indecent assault committed between November 2001 and April 2004, as well as between January 1991 and January 1993. Additionally, he admitted to four charges of indecency with a child during the same period, and a further charge of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity between May and November 2004.

During the proceedings, Mitchell’s defense solicitor, Rina-Marie Hill, acknowledged that her client still did not fully accept that the offences had taken place, despite his guilty pleas. She highlighted Mitchell’s previously good character and expressed concern about his health, suggesting that at his age, he might not survive long in prison depending on his physical condition and how he copes with incarceration. Hill also voiced particular concern for Mitchell’s wife, who has been married to him for 50 years. She is 67 years old and faces the prospect of spending the next decade or more alone, a situation that both she and Mitchell find deeply distressing.

Judge Reddihough, in delivering the sentence, described Mitchell’s catalogue of offences as “devastating” and emphasized the long-lasting harm inflicted on the victims. He referenced a victim impact statement from one of the girls, which underscored the profound and enduring effects of the abuse. The judge made it clear that such crimes, regardless of when they occurred, are likely to be prosecuted and punished, sending a strong message that the law catches up with offenders regardless of their age or the passage of time.

In recognition of Mitchell’s guilty plea, the judge granted a 15 percent reduction in his sentence. The total sentence of 15 years was imposed for the most serious charge of multiple rape, with all other sentences to run concurrently. Mitchell is expected to serve up to two-thirds of his sentence in prison before being released on licence for the remainder, subject to good behavior and other conditions. The court’s decision underscores the severity of the crimes committed and the ongoing need to protect children from such predatory behavior.