LOUIS MUNSLOW FROM STOURBRIDGE SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN WORCESTER

In January 2021, a deeply disturbing case emerged involving Louis Munslow, a pensioner from The Broadway in Stourbridge, who was convicted of sexually abusing a young girl during the 1990s in Worcester. The abuse, which began when the victim was just three years old, spanned several years and caused profound emotional and psychological trauma.

It was only after a lengthy legal process that Munslow, aged 75, finally admitted to four counts of indecent assault, some of which reflected multiple incidents. These charges covered the period from November 16, 1992, to September 29, 1997. His guilty pleas were entered on December 3 of the previous year, following a plea and trial preparation hearing held on April 14. The delay in his admission of guilt had prolonged the suffering for the victim, who had to relive her trauma during the court proceedings.

The survivor, whose identity remains protected, provided a harrowing victim personal statement that vividly described the lasting impact of Munslow’s abuse. She expressed that no words could adequately convey the pain inflicted upon her, emphasizing that the abuse began when she was only three years old and continued for five years. She accused Munslow of showing no remorse for his actions and stated that he still does not.

In her statement, she detailed how his manipulation and control over her made her feel physically ill. She revealed that the experience left her with intense anger—not only directed at Munslow but also at herself for not stopping the abuse or confiding in anyone at the time. She confided her fears that nobody would believe her, which prevented her from seeking help earlier.

The emotional toll was evident as she described her ongoing struggles with sleep, feelings of guilt, shame, and a loss of self-worth. She admitted that her childhood trauma has adversely affected her ability to fully enjoy her role as a mother. Despite loving her children, she found it difficult to show affection physically, such as hugging or kissing them, because of the abuse she endured as a child.

Prosecutor Michael Hall summarized the victim’s statement for the court, highlighting that she feels she is serving a 'life sentence' due to the trauma inflicted by Munslow. She also recounted how she 'fell apart' upon learning that Munslow was pleading not guilty, perceiving it as a final act of cruelty that added to her suffering over the past three decades.

During sentencing, Judge Martin Jackson acknowledged the severity of the crimes. He pointed out that although there were only four charges, they represented a significant breach of trust and involved multiple forms of abuse, starting with inappropriate touching and kissing, progressing to more serious, penetrative acts. The judge emphasized that these acts had a lifelong impact on the victim, severely damaging her experiences as a mother.

Judge Jackson also noted that Munslow had attempted to dissuade the victim from revealing his actions and that his late acceptance of responsibility suggested limited remorse. The judge described the offences as a serious breach of trust, involving grooming, and highlighted the profound and lasting harm caused to the victim. Ultimately, Munslow was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for his heinous crimes committed in Worcester, with his actions leaving a permanent scar on the victim’s life.