Pensioner jailed for abusing girls

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.