ENFIELD PAEDOPHILE FRANK NEWBERRY SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL

In a case that has spanned decades, Frank Newberry, a 66-year-old man from Enfield, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for a series of sexual offenses committed against a young girl over 30 years ago. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the abuse that took place in the early 1970s, when the victim was only 13 years old.

According to the court, Newberry, a married father of two and a grandfather, engaged in multiple sexual assaults on the girl after they met at riding stables in Enfield. The incidents reportedly occurred over a period of approximately 12 months, between 1972 and 1973. The victim, now a 45-year-old successful businesswoman, recounted that she was raped on several occasions and subjected to indecent assaults during this time.

The case only came to light in 2002 when the victim, who had kept her trauma largely to herself, contacted the police in Enfield. Due to the significant passage of time, law enforcement initially believed that tracing the perpetrator might be impossible. However, through diligent investigation, officers managed to locate Newberry in Bedfordshire. The investigation revealed that Newberry was a well-known figure within the local horse community, particularly in the Enfield area, and was recognized as a retired electrician living in Royston, Hertfordshire.

During the court hearing, the prosecution, led by Kim Whittlestone, detailed that the victim remembered between six and fifteen separate offenses committed after she met Newberry at Hollyhill Farm Stables in Enfield. The victim explained that she was too frightened to disclose the abuse to her parents at the time, and when she confided in friends, they dismissed her claims as a joke. It was only when she reached 18 years of age that she confided in her then-boyfriend about the abuse.

Newberry pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault during his court appearance in July. The court was informed that four counts of rape would be left on file, indicating that additional charges could potentially be pursued. His defense, represented by Laura Brickman, acknowledged that there had been approximately eight incidents involving sexual contact or intercourse, but contested the extent of the abuse as described by the victim.

Judge Mervyn Roberts, presiding over the case, emphasized the seriousness of the offenses, describing them as a 'serious abuse of a young girl.' Although Newberry was charged with rape, his guilty plea to indecent assault was accepted. The judge ordered that Newberry be placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, underscoring the gravity of his actions and serving as a warning to others. The court's decision reflects the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals and ensuring that offenders are held accountable for their crimes, regardless of the passage of time.