A child abuser who sexually assaulted three girls has been jailed for 18 years after their courage helped us expose his depraved crimes.
The children – who were all under 14 at the time of the abuse – confided in specialist public protection officers about the attacks by pensioner Alan Styles.
He groomed his victims − one understood to be as young eight when it started – with gifts as sex offences were committed across more than four years until Spring 2018.
After the first victim disclosed her abuse Police swooped on his home and recovered a camera and memory cards with 665 indecent images of children. Our enquiries then established two other girls had suffered at the hands of Styles.
He pleaded guilty to 27 offences which included rape, sexual assault, indecent photos and sexual activity with a child.
The 84-year-old of Yew Tree Lane, Wednesbury, was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment, with a further two years on licence, at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday (13 November). He is also on the Sex Offender Register for life.
DC Hannah Osborne, from our child abuse investigation team, said: “It is due to the bravery of the victims we were able to ensure Styles has been put behind bars for a long time.
“Their courage, and trust in our officers, helped us build up a strong case and ensure he can’t harm any others.”