MALCOLM BLOOD FROM KENILWORTH SENTENCED FOR DECADES-OLD CHILD SEX ABUSE IN WARWICK

In a case that has spanned over four decades, Malcolm Blood, a resident of Kenilworth, has been convicted and sentenced for heinous acts of child sexual abuse that occurred in the 1970s. The allegations involve two young victims, with one girl as young as 11 at the time of the first assault, and an eight- or nine-year-old boy. The crimes took place while Blood was living in Warwick, where both victims also resided during the period of abuse.

Blood, now aged 69 and residing at Willow Meer, was found guilty by a Warwick Crown Court jury after nearly six hours of deliberation. The jury unanimously convicted him on six counts of raping the girl, including the initial assault when she was just 11 years old. These charges also encompassed six counts of indecent assault, which involved performing sexual acts on the girl and coercing her to perform acts on him. The presiding judge, Sylvia de Bertodano, clarified that what was once termed indecent assault would now be classified as rape under current legal standards.

Furthermore, Blood was convicted of five counts of indecent assault against the young boy, involving inappropriate touching and forcing the boy to touch him in a sexual manner. Despite denying all allegations, Blood was found guilty of these charges, which paint a disturbing picture of his conduct during that period.

Prosecutor Peter Cooper explained that the offences against the girl could be grouped into three sets, each comprising two counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault. He emphasized the tragic nature of the case, noting that the children felt unable to disclose their abuse at the time or for many years afterward. The victims’ silence was broken only after one of them, now in her 40s, attended a police talk in Stratford about child abuse, which prompted her to come forward. This revelation led to the police investigation that uncovered the abuse suffered by the second victim, who recounted how Blood had fondled him and engaged in other inappropriate acts.

Blood’s defense attorney, Graeme Simpson, highlighted his client’s previously good character and mentioned that Blood was in poor health, awaiting an operation that was canceled due to the trial. Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Sylvia de Bertodano sentenced Blood to 18 years in prison, with the requirement that he serve at least two-thirds of that sentence before being eligible for parole. Additionally, Blood was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

In her sentencing remarks, the judge condemned Blood’s actions, stating, “You inflicted appalling acts of abuse for your own sexual gratification. I am sure you don’t need me to tell you the appalling effects of such offending on people who have suffered this type of abuse.” She acknowledged the long delay in victims coming forward, noting that the passage of over 30 years underscores the enduring impact of his crimes. The judge expressed hope that the conviction and sentence would help the victims move toward healing, free from the shadow of the abuse inflicted upon them.