VICTOR DYER FROM ASHTON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF THREE GIRLS IN BRISTOL

In March 2010, a man named Victor Dyer, aged 76, hailing from Ashton, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of sexually abusing three young girls under the age of 13 in Bristol. The case, which drew significant public attention, involved a series of serious allegations that spanned over a period of time, revealing a disturbing pattern of misconduct by the defendant.

Victor Dyer, a former hotel porter, faced multiple charges including six counts of indecent assault against the first girl. He also denied three charges of indecent assault and seven counts of indecent acts involving the second girl, along with three separate sexual assault charges on the third girl. The trial took place at Bristol Crown Court in January, where the jury was tasked with examining the evidence and determining Dyer’s guilt.

During the proceedings, Dyer was acquitted of three indecent assault charges and three indecent acts involving the first and second girls respectively. However, the jury, composed of eight men and four women, convicted him on all remaining counts by a majority of 10-2. The verdict confirmed that Dyer had committed the offenses as charged, leading to his subsequent sentencing.

Judge Mark Horton addressed Dyer directly in court, stating, “In the trial it was plain that you were quite capable of extremely glib lies which you attempted to use in the course of the case. You have been an unseen danger to young girls. It is the duty of this court to send a message to girls who have been abused that they will be protected and society will protect them from people like you and punishment will need to be severe.”

As part of his punishment, Dyer was banned from working with children for life and was issued a lifelong sexual offences prevention order. This order prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

Before being taken into custody, Dyer expressed a final gesture of affection by blowing a kiss to his wife of 50 years, Hilary, who was gravely ill and sobbing in her wheelchair as she said her emotional farewell. The case was overseen by Detective Constable John Roth, who commented on the impact of the sentence, saying, “I hope the sentence of the judge today can help to give the victims closure from the years of abuse they’ve suffered. It sends out a message to people who are abusing young girls.”

The testimonies from the victims painted a disturbing picture of Dyer’s actions. The first girl recounted how Dyer would force her onto the bathroom floor, remove her and his clothes, and rub his private parts against her groin. The second girl described how Dyer would remove his and her trousers, perform sexual acts in front of her, and manipulate her into touching him intimately, even touching her between her legs over her clothing. The third girl testified that Dyer sexually assaulted her in his kitchen over a period of three months, describing the experience as “really hurtful.”

During the trial, Dyer claimed to have an interest in aromatherapy oils, which he said was related to the care he provided for his wife, who suffered from a lung infection. He admitted to using oil to treat the first girl for head lice and thrush, with her mother’s consent, by applying it to her genital area while his wife was present. Dyer insisted that he did not behave inappropriately, asserting, “It could not have happened. We have a stringent rule; children would not go upstairs with an adult, unattended, for the treatment or administering of oils.”

He further explained that the rule was intended to protect both children and adults from potential accusations, stating, “It was an agreed rule which sometimes couples make to ensure they are protected from violation by children.”

However, some parents testified that they were unaware of any such rule. One mother told the court, “I had not heard that rule before,” and another said she could not recall Dyer or his wife informing her of any such regulation. She also stated that she would have taken her daughter to a doctor if she had thrush, rather than allowing her to be treated at Dyer’s home.

Defense lawyer Edward Burgess acknowledged the gravity of the case, saying, “The prosecution ultimately triumphed. But there are no winners, only losers. The case is nothing short of a human tragedy, first and foremost for the three victims who were three young girls.” He also highlighted Dyer’s otherwise blameless life, describing him as a hardworking individual who had made positive contributions to the community and was well-regarded by many who knew him, despite the serious allegations against him.