2010: CHILD SEX PERVERT IS JAILED
A FORMER university lecturer who attempted suicide the day he was due to stand trial for sexually abusing two young girls has been jailed for 14-and-a-half years.David Tattum, aged 55, eventually admitted eight charges including rape, indecent assault, gross indecency with a child, and sexual activity with a child.
One of the offences took place at Worcester Swimming Pool in Sansome Walk, Worcester Crown Court was told.
Tattum, formerly of Barnards Green near Malvern, initially denied the charges and was bailed to stand trial in October.
He failed to appear after slashing his wrists and attempting to gas himself in a car.
He admitted twice raping a schoolgirl aged 11 or 12 between April 2004 and May 2005.
He also pleaded guilty to two indecent assaults on another girl and sexually activity with the same child between 2001 and 2005.
Tattum, of Church Street, Tewkesbury, admitted further indecency offences against both victims.
Charges against a third girl were dropped.
Judge John Cavell said Tattum had "corrupted" the young girls and said his late guilty plea was an aggravating feature.
Judge Cavell ordered a pre-sentence report before jailing him for 14-and-a-half years.
Tattum must sign the sex offenders’ register for life and was made the subject of an indeterminate sexual offences prevention order (SOPO).
