RUSSELL GOODYEAR SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ABUSE IN CADNAM AND HAMPSHIRE

In March 2013, a disturbing case of child abuse culminated in the sentencing of Russell Goodyear, a 43-year-old man from Southampton Road, Cadnam, who was convicted of a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual exploitation of young girls. The court heard that Goodyear had engaged in a prolonged period of abuse, filming himself assaulting two young victims over a span of four years, a period marked by calculated grooming and inhumane treatment.

Judge Gary Burrell QC described Goodyear’s actions as treating the children as mere sex objects, emphasizing the brutal and dehumanizing nature of his conduct. The case came to light after a third girl, who had been victimized, summoned the courage to confide in her mother about the abuse. This brave disclosure prompted police intervention, leading to a raid on Goodyear’s residence.

During the police search, authorities uncovered a collection of disturbing home movies and a vast trove of over 14,000 indecent images, including both photographs and videos, depicting young girls in various states of sexual exploitation. Prosecutor Elizabeth Bussey-Jones highlighted that the evidence suggested the children had been thoroughly groomed to participate in sexual acts, revealing a calculated pattern of abuse.

Goodyear faced multiple charges, including 46 counts of rape, making and possessing indecent images, sexual assault, and voyeurism. He admitted to a comprehensive catalogue of offenses, which spanned three indictments. The court was told that he had previously been registered as a sex offender following an earlier attack on a girl over ten years prior, which added to the gravity of his current crimes.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Burrell stated that there was no mitigation to be considered, aside from Goodyear’s guilty plea. The judge dismissed any suggestion of remorse, condemning his treatment of the victims as callous and inhuman. Goodyear showed no visible emotion as he was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with the court ruling that he would not be eligible for release until he was deemed no longer a threat to children.

Ms. Bussey-Jones explained that the investigation was initiated after the third girl’s courageous disclosure, which prevented the abuse from remaining hidden. The police, acting on this information, arrested Goodyear while he was on holiday in Gloucestershire. A subsequent search of his caravan uncovered electronic devices containing the abusive material, confirming the extent of his crimes.

During mitigation, defense lawyer Richard Martin argued that Goodyear was seeking treatment for what he described as an “illness,” and that he was willing to remain incarcerated until he received help. The court, however, regarded him as a dangerous offender due to the severity and duration of his offenses, his lack of remorse, and his distorted view of his actions. As part of his sentence, Goodyear was placed on the sex offenders register, banned from using computers, and prohibited from being around young children indefinitely. He will only be eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence and upon satisfying the Parole Board that he no longer poses a risk.