KENNETH PRESTON FROM HAVERFORDWEST JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN PEMBROKESHIRE

A man with a military background, Kenneth Preston, formerly of Crundale in Haverfordwest, has been sentenced to prison for serious sexual offences committed over four decades ago. The case, which involved allegations of indecent assault against a young recruit, was brought to light after a thorough investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police, spanning over three years.

Preston, who is now 77 years old, was convicted of five counts of indecent assault following a trial held at Swansea Crown Court. The charges stem from incidents that allegedly took place at a former Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Pembrokeshire during the 1970s. Despite the significant passage of time since the offences occurred, law enforcement officials managed to gather enough evidence to proceed with the case, overcoming numerous investigative challenges.

Detective Constable Ben Staniforth, who led the investigation, explained that the case was initially brought to police attention by another law enforcement agency after the victim reported non-recent sexual offences. The victim, who was a junior officer at the time, recounted being assaulted multiple times while stationed at the RAF base. The perpetrator, Kenneth Preston, was a senior officer during that period. The victim revealed that he had carried the emotional and psychological burden of these assaults for over 40 years before finally finding the courage to come forward and report what had happened.

According to police reports, Preston targeted the young recruit during his teenage years, often taking him to secluded areas on the base where the abuse occurred. The victim also reported that Preston threatened to 'make his life hell' if he ever disclosed the assaults, which served to silence him for many years. Both Preston and the victim had been discharged from military service by the time the allegations surfaced publicly, with no formal complaints made to authorities until 2017.

Once the allegations were made, CID officers launched an investigation. However, the investigation faced significant obstacles, including the absence of CCTV footage, forensic evidence, and military records, which were no longer available. Detective Staniforth highlighted the difficulties faced in such cases, noting that victims often delay coming forward due to fear, shame, or concerns about the military hierarchy. He emphasized that allegations of historical offences require a different investigative approach, especially when the accused is elderly.

The police team needed to confirm whether Preston was still alive before proceeding further. They discovered that he was indeed alive and residing in Cornwall. Arrangements were then made to interview him. During the interview, Preston provided a prepared statement in which he admitted to engaging in sexual activity with the victim, claiming it was consensual. This statement, along with consistent disclosures made by the victim to family, friends, and a general practitioner over the years, played a crucial role in securing the charges.

Preston was formally summoned to court in May 2019, facing five counts of indecent assault. However, due to delays, the trial did not commence until September 2020. Ultimately, Preston was found guilty on all counts. On September 18, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison. In addition to his prison term, Preston is required to continue registering as a sex offender, having previously admitted to other offences in a separate case. He will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order, aimed at protecting the public from any potential future offences.