RAPIST JAILED FOR 1960S ABUSE OF GIRL
A man convicted of a prolonged sexual abuse campaign against a girl during the 1960s has received a 20-year prison sentence.John Erskine, from Coventry, inflicted harm over a span of several years, which police described as an 'appalling seven-year campaign of sexual abuse.' Warwickshire Police stated that he used violence to overpower the girl when she resisted.
The now-grown victim first reported the abuse to authorities in the 1980s in a different area, but the police noted that, like many survivors, she was let down at the time.
She later came forward again after learning of a case involving someone she knew, leading to Erskine, aged 75, being charged and convicted.
Officers praised her resilience in the process.
Erskine was found guilty on five counts of raping a girl under 16 and two counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14.
He was sentenced to 20 years at Birmingham Crown Court this past Friday.
When she initially reported the abuse in the 1980s, he was questioned for several hours but was released due to the laws in effect at that time, which prevented prosecution for offences not recent enough.
However, due to legal reforms since then, authorities pressed for charges when she came forward again, leading to his conviction.
During police interviews following his arrest, Erskine attempted to downplay, deny, or justify his actions.
