A Birmingham man has been jailed for 17 years for the prolonged sexual abuse of a young girl, following an investigation into offences dating back nearly three decades.
Carl Chapman, 61, was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 8 August after being found guilty in April of 19 serious sexual offences, including indecent assault on a girl under 16 and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
The abuse began in 1996 when the victim, then just nine years old, was subjected to almost a decade of exploitation until 2004. Chapman, who was known to her, used bribes and threats – including to kill her family – to silence her.
The victim, now an adult, displayed remarkable courage in coming forward to report the offences. Following a detailed police investigation, Chapman was arrested and brought before the courts. He will remain on the sex offenders register for life.
Detective Sergeant Chloe Collins, who led the investigation, praised the victim’s bravery:
“She showed incredible strength throughout the investigation, trial, and sentencing. We would not have been able to put Chapman behind bars without her courage. I hope the sentence offers her some closure and encourages other victims to come forward – it’s never too late.”
Police continue to urge victims of rape or sexual assault, whether recent or historic, to report offences, stressing that specialist teams are dedicated to investigating such crimes regardless of how much time has passed.