Milton Keynes man jailed for decades-old child abuse

A man from Milton Keynes has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term for child sexual offenses that date back nearly six decades. 73-year-old Joseph Whitbread was handed a 17-year sentence after being found guilty by a court at Oxford Crown Court. The trial lasted 16 days, and the offender was convicted on multiple counts of sexual abuse involving children from 1966 to 2006. Specifically, he was guilty of three counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 11, two counts of indecency with a child, and one count each of indecent assault on a girl under five and under thirteen, as well as attempted rape on a child younger than 13. The victims, now in their 50s to 70s, endured horrific abuse over many years, inflicted by someone they trusted. Detective Constable Kelly Love-Williams described him as a dangerous individual whose offending spanned many years. She emphasized the bravery of the victims, who faced trauma by reliving their experiences during the trial. The officer stated, 'This type of crime will never be tolerated, and we are pleased that the gravity of the offences has led to such a significant sentence.' She expressed hope that this case demonstrates that age is no barrier to justice and hopes it brings closure to the victims. Support for child sexual abuse victims is available through NSPCC, with a link provided in the article.