PHILLIP BAXTER FROM CALCOT TO FACE JUSTICE FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN READING

In a case that has spanned over a decade, Phillip Baxter, a 50-year-old resident of Dwyer Road in Calcot, is set to be sentenced for serious criminal charges involving the sexual abuse of a young girl. The offenses, which occurred between March 3, 2000, and August 23, 2002, involve multiple counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of five, as well as inciting her to commit acts of gross indecency. These allegations have haunted the community of Calcot and the wider Reading area for years, bringing to light the disturbing nature of the crimes committed by Baxter.

Originally, Baxter was scheduled to be sentenced at Reading Crown Court on a recent Friday. However, the proceedings were delayed when Judge Nicholas Wood expressed concerns about the adequacy of the pre-sentence report prepared by the probation service. The judge was not convinced that the report had thoroughly explored all possible options for sentencing and therefore ordered a second opinion to be obtained through an additional report. This decision underscores the seriousness with which the court is approaching this case and the importance of ensuring a comprehensive assessment before final judgment.

It is important to note that Baxter’s criminal history is complicated by his severe physical and mental health issues. In 2002, he was subjected to a violent assault that resulted in significant brain damage. Since then, he has suffered a stroke and experienced ongoing memory loss, which rendered him unfit to stand trial initially. Despite this, a jury was convened during a hearing in September to determine whether Baxter had committed the alleged offenses. After careful deliberation, the jury found that he was indeed responsible for the crimes.

As it stands, Phillip Baxter is now scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday, November 19. The case continues to draw attention due to the serious nature of the allegations and the long history of legal proceedings surrounding his actions. The community and the victims await the final judgment, which aims to bring some measure of justice after years of uncertainty and trauma.