Man (61) jailed for 26 years for historic offences against children in Rotherham

A 61-YEAR-old man has been sentenced to 26 years in prison for multiple historic offences against Rotherham children.
Raymond RowlandRaymond Rowland
Raymond Rowland

Raymond Rowland, formerly of Mexborough, was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday (Thursday).

Rowland was found guilty on October 28 of 21 counts of indecent assault, rape and one sexual assault.

The charges relate to five girls and boys who were aged between five and 12 years old when the abuse took place. The offending occurred over a period of 30 years, between 1974 and 2004.

In 2018, Rowland was initially charged with offences against four victims before a further victim came forward.

Det Con Elinor Duke, who investigated the case alongside Det Cons Craig Garland, said: "Our investigation into Rowlands’s horrific offending began in 2014 when one of his victims – now an adult – bravely came forward and reported what had happened to him as a child.

“His strength and courage is remarkable and we commend him for taking this brave step.

“Further victims were identified as the inquiry progressed, and the scale of Rowland’s offending became clear.

“He has refused to accept responsibility for his crimes, subjecting his victims to the ordeal of a court trial where they have had to recount for a jury their awful experiences.

“We are pleased he has been convicted and sent to prison. We only hope this result offers the victims some form of closure and that they are able to find the strength to move forward with their lives.”

Rowland was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and was given a restraining order for all five victims until a further order is made. 

 

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