EXETER SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR CHILD ABUSE AT 90
UPDATE 19/01/2026: Matthews died from severe pneumonia aged 90 on April 13, 2025.At the time he was a serving prisoner at HMP Verne in Dorset.
———————————————————————- A 90-year-old sex offender named Sidney Matthews has been sentenced to prison for the horrific rape and sexual abuse of a young girl in Exeter.
Matthews subjected his victim to a sustained campaign of abuse over several years, which included acts of oral rape and indecent assault more than two decades ago.
The abuse began when the girl was just six years old.
Matthews attempted to silence her by spouting lies about her being unlikely to be believed, but his deception was eventually uncovered, leading to a jury at Exeter Crown Court convicting him on all 11 charges during a trial held in October.
He has now been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The judge criticized Matthews' actions, stating he acted on his paedophile urges to 'achieve your own sexual gratification, regardless of the obvious significant impact it had on her.' He also commended the courage of the victim, who provided a moving statement describing the ongoing psychological trauma inflicted by Matthews.
The victim shared that the abuse had robbed her of her childhood innocence and left her with lasting trust issues, nightmares, and flashbacks.
Despite her suffering, she expressed hope for healing now that the truth has been revealed.
Defending Matthews, who previously lived on Burthhouse Lane, solicitor Mary Aspinall-Miles, noted that the defendant was a man of good character whose mental and physical health was declining.
The judge acknowledged the severe psychological harm caused and praised the victim's resilience for pursuing justice.
Matthews was sentenced to 14 years plus an additional year on extended licence, with the requirement that he serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
The judge remarked that the sentence would have been longer if Matthews had been younger.
He expressed regret that justice had taken so long to catch up with Matthews, but commended the victim for her strength in facing her trauma.
