JULIAN KEIGHTLEY FROM SAWTRY SENTENCED FOR HISTORIC SEXUAL OFFENSES IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE

In a significant development in the pursuit of justice for past sexual offenses, Julian Keightley, a 44-year-old man residing in Greenways, Sawtry, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for crimes committed in the early 1990s within Cambridgeshire. The conviction follows a detailed investigation and a trial held at Huntingdon Crown Court, where Keightley was found guilty of assaulting two young girls decades ago.

Keightley had denied the allegations, which involved two separate incidents targeting a 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old teenager. The court heard that between 1991 and 1993, Keightley engaged in a pattern of predatory behavior, during which he supplied the victims with alcohol and cannabis, likely to lower their inhibitions and facilitate his assaults.

The first assault took place in 1991, in a tent located within a Cambridgeshire village, where Keightley subjected the 12-year-old girl to a serious sexual assault. The court was told that this incident was particularly traumatic for the young victim. The second incident occurred in 1993, when Keightley raped the older girl inside a camper van, further compounding the severity of his crimes.

The case gained renewed attention last year when both victims courageously came forward to authorities, leading to a police investigation. The investigation culminated in Keightley's arrest and subsequent trial, where he was convicted of the charges against him. As part of his sentence, he was also handed a sexual offences prevention order and will remain on the sex offenders register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions.

Detective Constable Julia Boon, who led the investigation, emphasized the complexity of the case due to the significant time elapsed since the offenses occurred. She praised the bravery of the victims for coming forward and providing evidence that ultimately brought Keightley to justice. Boon also issued a stark warning to potential offenders, underscoring that such crimes, regardless of the passage of time, will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.