WILLIAM TREADWELL FROM HARTSHILL CONVICTED OF HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IN WARWICK

William Treadwell, a man aged 63 and a resident of Hartshill, has been found guilty in Warwick Crown Court of a series of heinous crimes involving the abuse of children spanning over four decades. The court proceedings revealed that Treadwell faced a total of 18 charges, which included 13 counts of indecent assault, four counts of rape involving a young girl aged 10, and two counts of rape involving boys aged 11 and 12. Additionally, he was charged with acts of gross indecency. The jury, after deliberating, reached a verdict in just one hour and twenty minutes, convicting Treadwell on all counts without hesitation.

Prosecutor Adrian Keeling painted a disturbing picture of Treadwell’s character, describing him as a man driven by an overwhelming and indiscriminate sexual desire. Keeling explained that Treadwell was attracted to both young girls and boys, and that he derived pleasure from exerting control over his victims both mentally and physically. The prosecutor emphasized that Treadwell was skilled at manipulating young individuals, often ensuring their compliance without raising suspicion or alarm. The court heard detailed accounts of the abuse, which took place in various locations including Moor Wood in Hartshill, where Treadwell assaulted two boys and a girl during the late 1950s and 1960s. Further incidents included an indecent assault on a girl at the seaside in the late 1960s, and an attack on an 11-year-old boy in the 1970s.

The presiding judge, Marten Coates, expressed his serious concern over the case, indicating that he was contemplating a life sentence for Treadwell. He described the case as one of the most disturbing instances of indecency he had encountered in his judicial career. Judge Coates highlighted the predatory nature of Treadwell’s behavior, noting that he would likely seize every opportunity to commit further acts of indecency. The court adjourned the proceedings to allow the defense to decide whether a psychiatric report should be obtained to assess Treadwell’s mental state.

During the court session, Treadwell was visibly distressed, sobbing after being informed of the possibility of a life sentence. The judge underscored the gravity of the crimes committed and the dangerous, predatory tendencies exhibited by Treadwell, ultimately recommending a very severe punishment to reflect the seriousness of his offenses.