KEITH WESTMORELAND FROM BIRMINGHAM AND DEVIZES JAILED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE

In a case that has shocked the communities of Birmingham and Devizes, Keith Westmoreland, a 65-year-old man with a long and troubling history of sexual offenses against minors, has been sentenced to a significant prison term for his heinous crimes. The court proceedings revealed that Westmoreland, who had previously been convicted of similar offenses dating back to the 1960s, targeted vulnerable young boys in Devizes, where he had ingratiated himself into a local family before launching his predatory actions.

According to court reports, Westmoreland managed to befriend a family in Devizes, gaining their trust and eventually moving into their household. It was during this period that he began abusing two young boys, one of whom was only five years old at the time. The abuse was not a one-time event but spanned over several years, with one of the victims revealing that the abuse started when he was just nine years old and continued for four years. The other boy, a sibling of the first victim, was also subjected to indecent acts when he was only five.

Prosecutor Paul Cook detailed to the judge at Swindon Crown Court that the mother of the children was devastated upon learning the extent of her sons' suffering. She described her older son as being “as white as a ghost and shaking” when he confided in her about the abuse. The court heard that Westmoreland’s methods involved initial inappropriate touching, which escalated to oral sex. Disturbingly, Westmoreland would carry a flannel in his pocket, which he used to clean himself after the acts, indicating a disturbing level of premeditation and detachment.

Westmoreland, who resides on Overbury Road in Birmingham, pleaded guilty to nine counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of attempted rape. His criminal record is extensive, with convictions dating back over four decades. His first known conviction was in 1967 for a serious sexual act involving a 16-year-old girl, which resulted in a three-year prison sentence. Later, in the 1990s, he served two years for multiple sex offenses committed against a girl who was only eight years old in the 1970s.

During the sentencing hearing, Westmoreland’s defense lawyer, Robin Shellard, argued that his client was aware that his actions were wrong, unlike many other offenders. Shellard explained that Westmoreland was plagued by an internal struggle, describing it as a battle between two conflicting voices—one that urged him to commit abuse and another that recognized its wrongfulness. Shellard suggested that if Westmoreland had access to the modern programs and courses available to child sex offenders today, he might have been prevented from continuing his harmful behavior. He emphasized that Westmoreland, despite his past, understood he had a problem and was willing to address it, although he did not claim he would be no longer a danger.

Judge Mark Horton delivered a stern judgment, condemning Westmoreland as a “sexually manipulative predator” who meticulously planned his offenses to ensure he could carry out his abuse. The judge expressed concern over the long-term impact on the victims, stating that “the long-term damage to these victims cannot yet be known.”

As a result, Westmoreland was sentenced to six years in prison, with an additional four years on license following his release. The court also ordered him to register as a sex offender for life and imposed a sexual offences prevention order that will restrict his liberty for the next ten years. This case underscores the ongoing threat posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses and highlights the importance of vigilance and intervention to protect vulnerable children in communities across Birmingham, Devizes, and beyond.