WILLIAM BIBBY DROITWICH PENSIONER SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS

In a case that has shocked the community of Droitwich, William Bibby, a 76-year-old man residing on Nunnery Lane, was sentenced to four years in prison at Worcester Crown Court for a series of serious sexual offences involving young girls. Bibby, who only began offending in his 60s, pleaded guilty to a total of 13 counts, including indecent assault, engaging in sexual activity with a child under the age of 13, and inciting minors to participate in sexual acts.

The victims, five girls aged between 11 and 15, were lured to Bibby’s property under false pretenses, often enticed with offers of cider, cigarettes, and cash payments for small chores such as collecting leaves from his garden. These encounters took place in the confines of his shed and garage, where Bibby’s inappropriate conduct escalated over time.

One of the victims recounted her experience, revealing that she would often jump over a fence to avoid Bibby on her way home from school, indicating her fear and the impact of the abuse on her daily life. She described how her personality had changed from a lively, sports-loving girl to someone plagued by insecurity, to the extent that friends had to meet her whenever she disembarked from a bus. Another girl confided to police that she suffered nightmares three times a week, often involving Bibby grabbing her, which left her feeling scared to go out alone and distrustful of others. She expressed that the trauma inflicted by Bibby had profoundly altered her life.

The judge, Richard Rundell, acknowledged the difficulty in fully assessing the long-term emotional and psychological damage caused by Bibby’s actions. He noted that Bibby was considered a man of previously good character until he began his offending in his 60s. At the time of sentencing, Bibby’s wife had already initiated divorce proceedings.

The prosecution, led by Lynette McClement, detailed that between 2004 and 2007, Bibby’s misconduct involved groping girls in his shed, where limited space facilitated inappropriate contact. Over time, what initially started as hugs and kisses progressed into more intimate touching. Bibby also attempted to coerce two of the victims into touching him sexually and committed numerous other sexual offences against the young girls.

The offences came to light in August of the previous year after one victim’s boyfriend reported his concerns to the police. Bibby was interviewed twice but chose to give no comment during both sessions.

Defense lawyer Richard Hull acknowledged Bibby’s guilty pleas, emphasizing that this cooperation spared the victims from the trauma of reliving their experiences in court. However, he also pointed out that Bibby’s pre-sentence report, prepared by the probation service, reflected his “distorted beliefs,” which the court considered significant.

In sentencing, Judge Rundell expressed concern about the potential for Bibby to commit further offences after his release. As a result, he imposed a sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits Bibby from having contact with children under 16. Additionally, Bibby is required to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing police monitoring of his whereabouts and activities.