THOMAS CATTERMOLE FROM NETLEY ABBEY SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN HAMPSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the local community of Netley Abbey and the wider Hampshire area, 84-year-old Thomas Cattermole has been sentenced to a substantial prison term after being convicted of serious child sex offences. The proceedings took place at Southampton Crown Court, where the court heard harrowing details of Cattermole’s long history of abusing vulnerable children, spanning several decades.

Judge Christopher Parker QC described Cattermole’s actions as “monstrous” and emphasized the gravity of his crimes. The judge sentenced him to seven years in prison, noting that due to his age and health conditions, Cattermole is likely to spend the remainder of his life incarcerated. The court also imposed an additional extended license period of one year, ensuring close supervision upon his release, should he serve part of his sentence.

The court was informed that Cattermole had targeted two young girls at different times in his life. The first victim, a girl aged six, was subjected to abuse in the early 1960s. Prosecutor Rose Burns detailed how Cattermole had forced her to perform various sexual acts and had also sexually touched her when she was 15. The victim later revealed that the trauma inflicted by Cattermole left her with severe emotional scars, including feelings of despair and suicidal urges. She expressed her pain, stating, “Childhood should hold the happiest memories, but that isn’t the case for me.” She also disclosed that she had initially kept silent out of fear of Cattermole.

The second incident occurred in 2017, when Cattermole, then in his 80s, attempted to abuse another six-year-old girl. The court heard that he invited the girl, described as “especially vulnerable,” to engage in sexual touching on multiple occasions. This abuse was only brought to light when the young girl disclosed the incident, leading to Cattermole’s arrest. Subsequently, the first victim also came forward, confirming her own experiences.

Throughout the trial, Cattermole maintained his innocence, denying all allegations. However, a jury found him guilty of three counts of indecency with a child, one count of indecent assault, and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The court was reminded that Cattermole’s crimes were committed under legislation that, at the time, prescribed significantly lighter sentences for such offences. Nevertheless, Judge Parker condemned his conduct as “outrageous” and emphasized the lasting impact on his victims.

Addressing Cattermole directly, Judge Parker highlighted the profound harm caused to the victims, noting that the first girl had carried the burden of shame for years, despite her innocence. He pointed out that Cattermole’s understanding of his victim’s vulnerability was evident, especially in the 2017 incident involving the young girl. Cattermole, who resides on Victoria Road in Netley Abbey, was ordered to serve three and a half years of his sentence in prison, with the remaining time to be served under supervision. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which the justice system treats such heinous crimes, regardless of the offender’s age or health.