ASHBOURNE PENSIONER REGINALD ALLEN SENTENCED FOR SEVEN-YEAR CHILD SEX ABUSE

In March 2014, a pensioner from Ashbourne named Reginald Allen was sentenced to four years in prison for sexually abusing a girl over a period of five years. The abuse occurred when the girl was between nine and 14 years old. Allen, aged 71 at the time, pleaded guilty to charges including indecent assault, indecency with a child, sexual activity with a child, and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

The case was initially investigated in 2009, during which Allen denied any sexual contact with the girl, and no charges were filed. However, in 2011, he confided in his wife about his actions, prompting police to reopen the investigation. Allen then admitted to some of the abuse during police interviews.

Prosecutor Sarah Slater explained that the victim did not realize her experiences were wrong until she received sexual education at school. She recounted, "She (the victim) didn’t realize any of this was wrong until she started having sexual education at school. It (the abuse) carried on until she was 14, when she realised how wrong it was." When the girl told Allen to stop at age 14, he reportedly called her "a little monkey," but did not attempt any further abuse.

The victim described feeling that her experiences were normal during her childhood but recognized their wrongfulness as she grew older. She later attempted to take her own life at age 13, taking an overdose, and shared that the abuse had left her feeling with no self-respect or value and had damaged her relationships. Prosecutor Slater commented, "He has effectively taken away her childhood."

Judge Jonathan Gosling delivered the sentence and remarked on Allen’s manipulation, stating, "You ensured her silence by telling her that she was your 'special girl' and she shouldn’t disclose what you were doing or you would get into trouble. When she was 14, she gained the courage to tell you to stop. Realising she might expose you, you did stop."

In mitigation, Justin Ablott highlighted Allen’s lifelong work as a forklift truck driver and previous service in the Royal Marines for nine years, which included active duty in Yemen during the 1960s. Ablott added, “Any reputation he managed to build up over his adult life in the forces and in civilian life thereafter has been lost. He is thoroughly ashamed of himself.”

Allen, of Manor Road, Ashbourne, was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life following his conviction.