FRANK SIMMONS FROM NORTHWAY CONVICTED OF HISTORIC CHILD SEX ABUSE IN GLOUCESTER

In a case that has spanned decades, Frank Simmons, a 54-year-old man residing in Northway, has been found guilty of a series of serious sexual offenses committed against young children. The crimes, which occurred between 1975 and 1985, involved the sexual abuse of a girl and two boys, all of whom were approximately eight or nine years old at the time of the incidents.

During the trial at Gloucester Crown Court, Simmons faced a total of 19 charges, including 11 counts of indecency, five counts of indecent assault, and three counts of more serious sexual assault. Simmons had denied all charges, but after a thorough examination of the evidence, the jury returned a verdict of guilty on 18 counts. One of the most serious charges was found to be not proven beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to a mixed outcome for the defendant.

Judge William Hart addressed Simmons directly in court, warning him that he would not be sentenced immediately but emphasizing the severity of the crimes and the likelihood of a lengthy prison sentence. The judge stated, “I will not sentence you today, but be under no illusion – you will receive a substantial prison sentence. You will go to prison for a long time.”

In his remarks to the jury, Judge Hart acknowledged the difficulty of trying cases of this nature, especially given the significant time elapsed since the offenses. He noted that the man in the dock during the trial was almost certainly a different person from the one who committed these acts many years ago, highlighting the complex nature of historic abuse cases.

Prosecutor Kerry Barker revealed that it was only last year that one of the victims came forward to report the abuse, which had previously gone unspoken for decades. Barker detailed that Simmons had threatened to suffocate the children with a pillow if they did not cooperate, a tactic used to intimidate and silence them. Additionally, Simmons was accused of giving one of the victims 50p to keep quiet about the abuse, further illustrating the manipulative and coercive nature of his actions.

The court was also informed that societal awareness of child abuse has significantly improved since the time the offenses occurred. Barker explained that many victims delay reporting abuse out of fear, shame, or concern about not being believed, which often results in cases only coming to light many years later.

Simmons is scheduled to be sentenced on September 18, and the court will determine the appropriate punishment based on the gravity of his crimes and the evidence presented during the trial.