THOMAS SWIFT ROTHERHAM PENSIONER JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Rotherham, Thomas Swift, a 69-year-old retired waterways worker, has been sentenced to three years in prison for a series of sexual offences committed against a young girl nearly three decades ago.

The offences took place between February 1988 and April 1990, when the victim was just 14 years old. The girl, now aged 38, revealed the traumatic details of her ordeal only recently, after seeking counselling. Her revelations shed light on the long-lasting impact of Swift’s actions, which left her struggling with issues such as depression, substance abuse, and emotional distress.

Swift, who resides on Brinsworth Street in Rotherham, admitted to six counts of indecent assault during his appearance at Sheffield Crown Court. The prosecution, led by Richard Thyne, outlined that the young girl had a close relationship with Swift, who kept greyhounds at his home in kennels. The girl would often visit after school to help with the animals, including mucking out the kennels and grooming the dogs. During these visits, Swift would initially show signs of affection by rubbing her hands when she was cold, then progressed to hugging and kissing her.

As the relationship continued, the court heard that Swift’s behaviour became increasingly inappropriate. His actions escalated to indecent assaults and exposing himself to the girl. The court was told that his conduct was not a one-time event but persisted over a period of time, causing significant harm to the victim.

When arrested, Swift admitted to police that his behaviour had been a burden on his conscience for many years. He claimed that he viewed his actions as “fondness” that had developed between them, a statement that the court found deeply troubling. His defence lawyer, Judith Seaborne, acknowledged that Swift had breached the trust placed in him and expressed that he had shown genuine remorse for his actions.

Ms Seaborne emphasized that Swift had been married for 40 years and that his wife was present in court to support him. She described Swift as someone who felt he had let everyone down and who was genuinely sorry for what he had done. The lawyer also noted that Swift had expressed relief that he was finally being held accountable, as the weight of guilt had been heavy on him over the years.

Judge Julian Goose addressed the court, stating, “Your behaviour towards her became inappropriate and sexual, you were 43 to 45 at that time.” He highlighted that the offences were aggravated by their prolonged nature and the significant impact on the victim. The judge pointed out that the girl had suffered from stress, depression, and substance abuse, and that her disclosure only came after attending counselling sessions.

As part of his sentence, Swift was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register, which will restrict him from working with children and young adults in the future. The case underscores the lasting damage caused by such offences and the importance of justice for victims who often suffer in silence for years.