Pensioner jailed for abusing girls

Thursday 6th May 2010, 9:11AM BST.

A Shropshire pensioner has been jailed for three-and-a-half years after being convicted of sexually assaulting five young girls.

Father-of-three Kendel Oxley, of Church Stretton, had denied five charges of indecency with a child and three counts of indecent assault between 1968 and 1979.

But yesterday a jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court found the 65-year-old guilty on all counts after a trial.

Judge Mark Eades ruled Oxley must serve three-and-a-half years for the indecent assaults and 16 months for the indecency with a child offences, which will run concurrently.

He said they were “grave offences” particularly because the victims were aged under 13 at the time.

Judge Eades told Oxley, who used to work for the Shropshire Star’s advertising department, it was clear the impact his behaviour had had on his victims.

“When you committed these offences I dare say you did it likely without much thought,” he said.

Oxley will also be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

The court had been told Oxley was accused by five different women, who were all aged under 13 at the time of the assaults.

One victim told the court she was sexually abused by the defendant, of Longhills Road, Church Stretton, on several occasions.

Miss Samantha Forsyth, for Oxley, described Mr Oxley as a family man, father to three children, with a happy marriage to his wife.



Video News From ITN

TWITTER

Shropshire Star on Twitter Shropshire Star on Twitter

Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.

Lifestyle

Interactive Dining Out map Interactive Dining Out map

Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.

Entertainment

All the film reviews All the film reviews

Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.

OUR NEW APP

Get the new Shropshire Star app Get the new Shropshire Star app

Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.